Giovanni Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) was an Italian writer and poet of the early Renaissance, author of The Decameron, one of the greatest and most influential works of storytelling in world literature. Along with his friend Petrarch and his idol Dante, he was one of the founding fathers of Italian literature.
The Decameron is a collection of a hundred vivid, witty, and often bawdy tales, told over ten days by a group of young Florentines who have fled the city to escape the Black Death of 1348. Ranging from tragedy and romance to comedy and satire, the stories paint an unforgettable portrait of medieval life and human nature, and they influenced writers from Chaucer to Shakespeare.
A scholar and admirer of the ancient classics, Boccaccio helped shape both the Italian language and the art of prose storytelling.
Our editions present his masterpiece clearly for modern readers. Read a tale free, and read or listen with a membership.
Giovanni Boccaccio in the library · 3 works
soon
soon
soon
Frequently asked questions about Giovanni Boccaccio
What did Boccaccio write?
Boccaccio's masterpiece is The Decameron, a collection of a hundred tales. He also wrote earlier romances and poems, such as Il Filostrato and the Teseida, and scholarly works in Latin, including studies of classical mythology. The Decameron is his most famous and influential work.
What is The Decameron about?
The Decameron is framed as a collection of stories told by ten young men and women who flee plague-stricken Florence to a country villa and pass the time telling tales — a hundred in all, over ten days. The stories range across love, wit, trickery, tragedy, and comedy, capturing the full range of human life with humour and humanity. It is one of the great storytelling collections of world literature.
Where should I start with Boccaccio?
The Decameron is his essential work, and its individual tales can be read on their own, so you can dip in anywhere. Some of the most famous stories — of clever wives, foolish lovers, and cunning tricksters — are a delightful introduction. Start with a few of the best-known tales.
Why is The Decameron important?
The Decameron established prose storytelling as a great art form and profoundly influenced later writers, including Chaucer, whose Canterbury Tales owes much to it, and Shakespeare, who drew plots from it. Its vivid, worldly, humane portrait of medieval life broke new ground. It is considered a masterpiece and a cornerstone of European literature.
Is The Decameron hard to read?
Its tales are lively, funny, and dramatic, which makes them engaging, but older translations can feel dense and formal. The stories' medieval setting and occasional bawdiness are part of their charm. A clear modern edition brings out their humour and humanity.
When did Boccaccio live?
Boccaccio lived from 1313 to 1375, during the early Italian Renaissance, and wrote The Decameron around 1350, shortly after the Black Death devastated Florence. He was a friend of the poet Petrarch and a great admirer of Dante. He is regarded as one of the founders of Italian literature.
Where can I read Boccaccio for free?
The Decameron is in the public domain, and older translations are freely available. Many are in dated English. Here you can read a tale free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
Be first to read Giovanni Boccaccio here
Giovanni Boccaccio's modern-English editions are being prepared now. Leave your email and we'll tell you the day they arrive.
Read Giovanni Boccaccio free
Every restored edition — eBook and audiobook — is included with membership. Cancel anytime, one click · 30-day money-back guarantee.
Become a member →