Kent-Drury

English 206

Boccaccio Study Sheet

1. In what ways does the Plague affect the social fabric of Italy? List several institutions that are affected (e.g., religion, government, the family, urban life, gender relationships) and describe how they are changed.

2. The ideal medieval/renaissance woman, as described in religious and conduct literature of the time, was supposed to be silent, chaste, and obedient. How do the women in the framing tale measure up? What about Alibech? Lisetta? Griselda? Pietro's red-haired wife? On p. 1901, an old woman weighs in with another view. How does it compare?

3. What do the stories told about Rustico and Alberto suggest about how people thought about the clergy in Boccaccio's time?

4. Certain professional groups are ridiculed in Boccaccio's stories. Are the same professional groups ridiculed in our culture? Or have others taken their place?

5. Analyze the trials of Griselda. How is she an ideal wife? How is Gualtieri treated in the story? Can you justify his actions and her responses in terms of the culture they reflect?