The Decameron

by
Giovanni Boccaccio
The Decameron, is a collection of novellas by
the 14th-century Italian author Giovanni
Boccaccio. The book is structured as a frame
story containing 100 tales told by a group of
seven young women and three young men
sheltering in a secluded villa just outside
Florence to escape the Black Death, which was
afflicting the city.
Black Death/Black Plaque- is one of the
deadliest diseases in human history, second
only to smallpox. A bacterial infection found
mainly in rodents and associated fleas, plague
readily leaps to humans in close contact.
Plague outbreaks are the most notorious
epidemics in history, inciting fears of plague’s
use as a biological weapon today.
 Pampinea is a 28-year-old unmarried noblewoman, and leader of the
brigata. She is queen in First Day.
 Fiammetta Fiammetta is a young noblewoman, and a member of the
brigata. She is queen in Fifth Day.
 Emilia Emilia is a young noblewoman of the brigata. She is queen in Ninth
Day.
 Filomena Filomena is another female member of the brigata, and a bit
younger than Pampinea. She is queen in Second Day.
 Neifile Neifile is a young noblewoman of the brigata. She is queen in Third
Day.
 Elissa Elissa is a young noblewoman of the brigata. She is queen in Sixth
Day.
 Lauretta Lauretta is a young noblewoman of the brigata. She is queen in
Eighth Day.
 Filostrato
is one of the three young gentlemen who
join the brigata. He is king in Fourth Day.
 Dioneo
is one of the three young gentlemen who
join the ladies to form the brigata. He is king in
Seventh Day.
 Panfilo-Panfilo is the third young gentleman
of the brigata. He is king in Tenth Day.