Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron is a series of tales written during the Late Middle Ages that is meant to entertain the reader. While the entertainment value of Boccaccio’s work in undeniable, the Decameron also provides the reader with information about society at the time, and Boccaccio’s own worldview. One of the most prevalent themes throughout the Decameron is the portrayal of clergymen and members of religious communities as negative influences on those around them, constantly behaving in a manner unfit for those who are supposed to be moral and spiritual exemplars. Throughout the tales told by the lieta brigada, many priests, and friars are portrayed as being extremely lustful and greedy, frequently indulging in sex (often with the wives of other men), and living lives more befitting of a minor lord than a monk. Those clergymen who are not portrayed as out rightly immoral are usually stupid, and are unable to stop others from acting immorally because of their ignorance. Despite this, a few of the clergymen in the story are shown as ultimately having good intentions, or improving in morality through the actions of another. To understand all of these criticisms of the clergy, we must look at them through a historical lens, and observe the behavior of members of the Church in the Late Middle Ages. Finally, these analyses of the Decameron’s portrayal of clergymen may give us insight into Boccaccio’s own faith, and allow us to understand the motives of the author. In this essay, I will analyze the portrayal of clergymen and members of religious communities in Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron. I will focus on the licentiousness, greed, and stupidity of these members of the Church, while also evaluating the few portrayals of good me... ... middle of paper ... ...h Giovanni Boccaccio’s comments in the Decameron may be interpreted as anticlerical, his portrayal of clerics is fitting of many members of the clerical and religious state in the Late Middle Ages. Through this analysis, and Boccaccio’s support of the Church through the story of Abraham the Jew, Boccaccio in fact seems to be devoted to the Church, and seeks to reform it through his suggestions. Works Cited Boccaccio, Giovanni. The Decameron. Trans. G.H. McWilliam. 2nd ed. New York: Penguin Books, 1972. Print. Haas, Louis. “Boccaccio, Baptismal Kinship, and Spiritual Incest.” Renaissance and Reformation. Toronto: Victoria University, 2012. Web. Lea, Henry Charles. History of Sacerdotal Celibacy in the Christian Church. London: Williams & Norgate, 1907. Web. Schaff, Phillip. History of the Christian Church. Vol. VI, §73. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Hendrickson, 2006. Web.
In the book, Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Bucker, he discusses the scandalous actions of a Florentine woman taking a wealthy high status man to court over the legality of their marriage. Published in 1988, the book explains the legal action taken for and against Lusanna and Giovanni, the social affects placed on both persons throughout their trial, and the roles of both men and women during the time. From the long and complicated trial, it can be inferred that women’s places within Florentine society were limited compared to their male counterparts and that women’s affairs should remain in the home. In this paper, I will examine the legal and societal place of women in Florentine society during the Renaissance. Here, I will argue that women were the “merchandise” of humanity and their main objective was to produce sons.
“I’ll be out of here and away from all you knaves for one time anyway, as not a month will pass before you’ll see whether I’m nobody or a somebody.” The story of Bianco Alfani reflected the nature of 14th century Florentine society where, as Alfani remarked, the election to public office could make or destroy a person. In late 14th century and early 15th century Florence, decreased population and expanding commerce provided a favorable environment for ambitious individuals. The real life examples of Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati demonstrated the positive role of ambition in Florence. Pitti, a nobleman had an extremely successful career, partaking in military campaigns, holding public office in Florence and being an ambassador to foreign courts. Gregorio Dati, the grandson of purse venders, engaged in commerce, rising in social standing which culminated with his election to public office. Holding office was a definitive sign of success and recognition in Florence. In contrast was the tale Bianco Alfani, a deemed man unworthy of office. As told by Piero Veneziano, Alfani was the chief jailor in Florence who was duped into believing he had been named captain of the town of Norcia. Alfani publicly made a fool of himself, spending all his money and creating a great fanfare over his supposed appointment. Comparing the lives of Pitti and Dati to the story of Bianco Alfani illustrates how economic and social change in 14th century Florence produced a culture centered on reputation and commerce. For men like Pitti and Dati, who flourished within the constraints of Florentine society, their reward was election to office, a public mark of acceptance and social standing. Those who were ambitious but failed to abide by the values o...
· Lewis, CS. Mere Christianity. New York: Doubleday, 1982. · McBride, David. The Story of the Church.
Antonio Manetti, a Florentine Humanist and holder of several high offices in Florence, was the author of the delightful novella known as the Fat Woodworker. This novella, first published in its final refined form in the 1470’s, tells the story of a rather complex and slightly malicious trick created by a genius architect known as Filippo Brunelleschi. While the trick is mean at times, the reader tends to not notice because of the comedic way that the fat woodworker reacts. The prank that unfolds can in some ways closely parallel the many tricks that occur in Boccaccio’s Decameron, though there are some large differences.
During the late 14th century and beginning of the 15th century, two businessmen accounted their lives in a diary. The ecclesiastical controversies, religious upheaval and The Great Western Schism affected these men, Buonaccorso Pitti and Gregorio Dati, both of which were savvy money makers and were forced to conform to the change in society as well as any offices they held. Buonaccorso was more affected by these changes because of the several positions he held in society. Dati too was affected because he ran a business and was directly correlated with the economical situations at the time. Religion was one of the main disputes in Modern Europe during this time period because of The Great Western Schism and the many attempts to overthrow the rulers of France. Society within each empire were religiously, linguistically and politically diverse. Effects of the Black Plague proved to be a major factor in the ecclesiastical controversies that would eventually follow. The Babylonian Captivity also assisted the changes that were occurring within the church (Patrouch, 8/31, 9/12, 9/14). It was evident that these two men were somewhat oblivious to their surroundings and the main issues affecting their world.
Chapter one, ‘Beginnings at Assisi,’ offers a vivid description of the social, political, economic, cultural, demographic description of Assisi and its inhabitants. Here, the author describes the life of Francis and the situations and circumstances prompting his journey to spread the ideal gospel life to the world. This chapter is relevant in determining the circumstances that instigated a need for reforms in the Catholic Church. This chapter is applicable in my life because it offers insight on the fundamental Christian I can rely on in my daily life.
St. Francis of Assisi was born in Umbria in the year 1182. He was a child every father hoped for, he was filled with life, a determined and courageous individual. He was gifted with rather good looks, qualities that attracted friends and a gift of leadership. His father was an extremely wealthy merchant in Assisi. But this son, his favourite, was the one who broke Peter Bernardone’s heart. The boy turned on his father, and in a vicious event that eventually resulted into a public scene. St. Francis of Assisi stepped away from his father, his business and left his father in a state of immense emotional suffering.
Jenkins, Phillips. The Lost History of Christianity. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008. Print. Phillips, Jonathan.
Nicolas Eymerich The Inquisitor is a point and click game depicting the problems of heresy and the struggles with parallel beliefs in 14th century Europe. In the game, Eymerich is sent by Father Abbot Vinet to uncover the mystery of a number of strange sightings in the village Calcares. While on his search, he decides that the true danger does not lie in the Devil’s apparitions, but rather the heretics which have infiltrated the church. This holds true in our class studies of parallel beliefs in France, and the ways in which the clergy handled such threats. By playing Nicolas Eymerich The Inquisitor, I have gained an additional perspective of the role of religion during this time period which can be compared to what I have already learned in
Boccaccio, Giovanni. Decameron. Ed. Charles Singleton. Trans. John Payne. Berkeley: U of California P, 1982.
In the Catholic Church, priests are the moral authority. When one has questions with his faith he is taught that he can go to his priest for informed answers. In this paper I also hope to deal with how these priests failed their flock. They took advantage of men who came to them for help when in trouble and preyed on the little boys who came to the church for guidance. In addition to the tacit feeling that as a priest they will only do what is right, these men told their victims that they would deal with the moral implications.
...ety to a better world was convoluted and crooked. Boccaccio laid out many examples and effects that the church had on civilization in hopes to overcome the fraudulent society that everyone depended on. Life is about living. Human competence has the ability to meld the physical world and the spiritual world into one boulevard. Life is about experiencing freedom. Freedom to control one’s actions, freedom to choose one’s leader and freedom to grow past difficulties. In The Decameron, Boccaccio tried to give everyone their freedom back.
The Story of Christianity is a very informative summation; a continuation of Volume 1 which covered the beginning of the church up to the Protestant Reformation, while Vol. 2 dealt with the Protestant Reformation up to more modern time period. This author delivers a more comprehensive and deeper look into the development of Christianity, which includes particular events which had transpired throughout the world; particularly how Christianity has expanded into Central and South America. Gonzalez opens up this book with the “Call for Reformation,” where he shares with his readers the need for reform; the papacy had started to decline and was corrupt, in addition to the Great Schism, which had further weakened the papacy (p.8). The author explains how the church was not the only issue but that the church’s teachings were off track as well, seeing that the people had deviated from...
Lambert, T. (2014). A brief history of Christianity in England. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from http://localhistories.org/christian.html
Bainvel, Jean. The New Catholic Encyclopedia. New York City: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm (accessed September 23, 2011).