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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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The Decameron

The Decameron is a 14th-century collection of 100 tales by Giovanni Boccaccio, framed by a story about ten young people who flee plague-stricken Florence.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Decameron is a 14th-century collection of 100 tales by Giovanni Boccaccio, framed by a story about ten young people who flee plague-stricken Florence. It is widely regarded as a masterpiece of early Italian prose and one of the most influential works of European literature. The title refers to the ten days over which the storytellers relate their tales.

Background and composition

Boccaccio wrote The Decameron in the aftermath of the Black Death, most likely between 1348 and 1353. The work uses the plague as both historical context and narrative catalyst.

Frame narrative

The book opens with ten young people fleeing plague-ravaged Florence for a countryside villa. They organize themselves around daily storytelling, with a different leader each day choosing the theme.

Themes and style

The tales range from comic to tragic and often explore love, wit, morality, fortune, and social behaviour. The work is notable for its lively prose and its focus on human agency.

Literary influence

The Decameron became a major model for later storytelling and helped establish the prestige of vernacular Italian literature. Its influence extended across Renaissance Europe.

Key facts

  • The Decameron is a 14th-century collection of 100 tales by Giovanni Boccaccio.
  • It is framed by a story of ten young people fleeing the Black Death in Florence.
  • The work is regarded as a masterpiece of early Italian prose.
  • It heavily influenced later European literature, including the Renaissance.
  • The title refers to the ten days over which the stories are told.
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Canadian context

The Decameron is studied in Canadian literature and world literature courses as a foundational text of European prose and short-story tradition.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Decameron about?
It is a frame story about ten young people who escape the Black Death in Florence and pass the time by telling 100 stories over ten days.
Who wrote The Decameron?
It was written by Giovanni Boccaccio, an Italian author of the 14th century.
How many stories are in The Decameron?
The work contains 100 tales, with each of the ten storytellers typically telling one story per day for ten days.
What does the title mean?
The title is commonly explained as meaning “Ten Days’ Work,” referring to the ten days of storytelling in the frame narrative.
Why is The Decameron important?
It is regarded as a masterpiece of classical Italian prose and a highly influential work in European literary history.
What historical event shapes the story?
The Black Death, which ravaged Florence in the mid-14th century, provides the setting and motivation for the frame narrative.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Giovanni-Boccaccio/The-Decameron
    Supports: Composition date, frame narrative, 10 storytellers, 100 tales, and title meaning.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Decameron
    Supports: Genre, composition period, masterpiece status, and thematic/literary significance.
  3. LitCharts — https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-decameron/summary
    Supports: Frame narrative details, plague setting, and daily storytelling structure.
  4. GradeSaver — https://www.gradesaver.com/the-decameron/study-guide/summary
    Supports: Plague context, frame narrative, and major themes.
  5. NOVA Open Publishing — https://pressbooks.nvcc.edu/eng255/chapter/the-decameron/
    Supports: Greek derivation of the title and ten-day structure.