Giovanni Boccaccio

The Italian poet, Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) was most probably born in Tuscany. He was likely born out of wedlock as a special licence had to be obtained when he desired to become a priest. Giovanni was brought up with tender care by his father, who was a successful Florentine merchant of respectable rank.

Boccaccio received a formal education in commerce, law, and classical literature. However, his passion for literature and writing eventually led him to pursue a literary career.

Boccaccio lived in Naples between 1328–41, where he fell in love with the unfaithful Fiammetta who became the muse for his early poetry. On Easter-eve in the year 1341, Boccaccio had a life-changing encounter at the church of San Lorenzo. It was there that he first laid eyes on Maria, the natural daughter of King Robert, who bore a striking resemblance to his beloved Fiammetta. Captivated by her beauty, Boccaccio immortalized Maria as Fiammetta in his most exquisite literary works.

The moment Boccaccio saw Maria, an instantaneous passion overwhelmed him, and this sentiment was reciprocated with equal fervor by the lady. However, despite their intense feelings for one another, Maria, bound by her honor and duties as another man's wife, initially resisted the poet's amorous advances. After much delay and hesitation, she eventually succumbed to their mutual desires.

Boccaccio completed his great collection of tales, The Decameron, in 1353. A huge fresco of life in the late Middle Ages, in which seven ladies and three gentlemen fleeing the Black Death in Florence left the city for a country villa and over a period of ten days told one hundred stories. Decameron represents all social classes in situations ranging from comic to dramatic.

In addition to The Decameron, Boccaccio wrote various other works, including biographies, poetry and historical and mythological studies. His works often explored human emotions, virtues, and vices, and he demonstrated a keen observation of human behavior.

Boccaccio's writing style was influenced by classical authors such as Cicero, Ovid and Virgil, as well as his contemporary, Dante Alighieri. He was one of the pioneers of using the vernacular (Italian) language in literature, which contributed to the development of the Italian language and culture.

Besides his literary achievements, Boccaccio was an enthusiastic advocate of Greek and Roman classical learning. He played a crucial role in reviving interest in ancient texts and contributed to the spread of humanism in Italy. His efforts to preserve and promote classical works helped pave the way for the cultural and intellectual flourishing of the Renaissance.

During his last years Boccaccio lived principally in retirement at Certaldo, a town in the province of Florence. He would have entered into holy orders, moved by repentance for the follies of his youth, had he not been dissuaded by Petrarch. He died there on December 21, 1375.

The Decameron is believed to have influenced Geoffrey Chaucer and his famous book of the Canterbury Tales.

Sources Theodora, Historyguide.org