Discuss the Broad Spectrum of language Boccaccio employs in the Decameron. Use Specific Examples - Assignment Example

Decameron Decameron was initially written in the Greek language. The word Decameron is a combination of two Greek words δέκα, déka which means ten andἡμέρα, hēméra which also means day. Therefore, in full the term means ten day that refers to the days in which the events written in the book unfolded where the characters present in the frame story told their tales. The languages used are metaphoric and figurative. The stories give the ideological prescription, regarding to the kind of language that is proper to both men and women.

  There is a particular kind of figurative language on the sexuality in the Decameron that marks the prerogative of men. What drove me to this conclusion is some hidden factors that few people see them talking about the kind of language used in Decameron.In the first story, Boccaccio acknowledges the significance of God, to be omniscient and not be gullible as asserted by Panfilo. …God knows the difference between actions and words, penitence and falsehood”. In as much as Ciaparetto was an atheist initially when he was gambling, making falsehood and blasphemer of God, he seeks God in difficult times by telling the Florentine brothers to call a high priest (Friar).

In his second tale, he shows more corruption found in churches. For instance, the story found on second tale. In this story, a Jewish man is continually pestered by a friend to convert to the superior religion of Christianity. Abraham, the Jew, decides to judge for himself the leaders of the Church by traveling to Rome. His friend, Giannotto, fears he will never convert after observing the corruption of the Pope and clergy. Abraham witnesses the horrible lifestyles of the pope and clergy that Abraham describes as full of “only lust, greed, gluttony, deceit, envy, arrogance, that sort of thing and worse…It was enough to leave me thinking I was in the devil’s smithy, not in God’s workshop.

In the third tale, filomena asserts that intelligence might be the reason for some solace, and describes how Saladin (King of Babylon) used his wits to loan money from shylock (Melchisedek). Bear in mind that he wouldn’t succeed he devises a plan to get money from Melchisedek by asking the true religion (Judaism, Saracen, or Christianity).Melchisedek ask him to tell story in exchange of money. He uses the analogy of ring given passed from one generation to another showing the true heir. The father of three duplicates the ring and gives to each showing that they are the true heir.

The sons did not know that all of them had the ring and upon realizing they cannot tell who the true heir is. Similarly, just like the rings the question of the true religion becomes a mystery.In the fourth tale,Dioneo explains how a monk saved himself from severe punishment, it also portrays the weakness of a man ( Abot and monk) in the eyes of a beautiful woman all of them will behave the same irrespective of the position or social status. The story revolves on how monk had sex with the beautiful woman in his house.

The Abbot didn’t know that the monk had seen him after he cheated him that he had cut and fetched firewood and left in the bush therefore, he asks for a permission to collect them. The abbot slithers in monks place and falls to the prey hopping that he had not been seen by the monk. It becomes very difficult to punish him as the monk also saw him doing the same. Monk escapes the punishment.In the first story, fourth day Boccaccio explains the decisions made by fathers against the will of their daughters and social status cannot be a parameter to falling in love.

Therefore, one may fall in love with a poor noble young man.Tancredi (princess of solerno) kills the daughter’s lover upon discovering the secret love affairs between Guiscardo and Ghismunda. After killing Guiscardo, Ghismunda commits suicide. From this we learn that love surpasses the barrier of age and social status. One maybe poor but rich he in love.”Poverty does not diminish anyones nobility, it only diminishes his wealth!" (300).In the fourth story, day 5 filomena describes hoe the three brothers in Messina killed an employee upon finding out that he was in love with her sister.

The young man (Lorrenzo) was killed and buried because of the love affairs with Elizabetta. Lorenzo appears in a dream and explains to elizabetha what had conspired and the place he was buried. Elizabetta decides to travel to the place and finds Lorenzo’s body. He cuts his head and put it in the vase after kissing. The brother upon finding out what is in the vase decides to bury it. The sister laments and wants her vase back. From this story we learn that our families may not like a relationship and the extent they can go to deny one happiness.

In the ninth story day five, explains how one loves but is not loved in return and spends all the money he has in courtship till he has nothing to offer. The lady at last loves her and offers her wealth. Flametta also explains how Hatim Tai sacrificed his horse for a meal ambassador Greek emperor.This tale highlights the extent to which one can sacrifice his wealth for the sake of his love to others. In the 10th story day six, it mocks the relics of worship.All in all, Decameron stories are very fascinating that every reader would like to understand.