IndexIntroductionDiscussionWorks CitedIntroductionGiovanni Boccaccio's medieval artwork The Decameron highlights both the righteous and sinful ways of human beings, through the telling of tales. Boccaccio's tales cover a wide range of topics, including adultery, love, devotion, deception, and the attributes of selfish and altruistic people. Many praise Boccaccio for his courage in shining a spotlight on the unpleasant aspects of medieval life, particularly his impartiality towards extramarital affairs. Boccaccio's Decameron provides a lens into medieval life that was sharply divided by gender disparities, economic divisions, and contrasts in social status. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Discussion Gender disparities are a very significant part of Boccaccio's writings, and the different representations of men and women are evident. In the society in which The Decameron is set, women have been trapped in a lower social position than men. However, Boccaccio demonstrates that a woman's lack of social standing does not affect her levels of control in any type of relationship. In fact, women seem to have the upper hand in many aspects of male-female relationships. For example, Ghismonda's relationship with her father Tancrede in Day IV portrays a bond in which the female has power over the male. Ghismonda, discouraged by her father's severe threats against Guiscardo, held her life above her father's head as a threat, saying: "I certify to you that everything you have done or will do with Guiscardo, you will not do with me, my own hands will do it” (p. 199). Ghismonda's threats are not those posed without meaning, and are dictated by her love for a man. Ghismonda threatened to take her own life to reiterate how important Guiscardo was to her. Ghismonda eventually took her own life to spite her father, showing her blatant contempt for gender inequality. Boccaccio again demonstrated the seemingly unlikely social advantages of a woman by telling the story of Day VI. The story of a woman accused of killing her husband, only to be forgiven by her father but tormented by the judge, is a testament to their social upper hand. The young woman, just like Ghismonda, explained that she would have preferred to commit suicide rather than be unjustly accused, thus maintaining her dignity. She said, “I'm not going to dwell on life anymore; but, before committing suicide, I would like to take the appropriate means to preserve my honor and the secret of the love that existed between the two of us and that body...” (P. 223). Andre Viola, who insisted on preserving her dignity, could gain innocence if she were allowed to take her own life. Selfless acts like these are usually performed by women in most of Boccaccio's stories. Ghismonda took her own life both to spite her father and to reunite with Guiscardo and showed little fear of repercussions, especially from Tancrede. Likewise, Andre Viola, who wanted to preserve his own self-image, had little influence on the men's motivations. André Viola allowed himself to be influenced by the accusations that everyone made against him, men and women alike. Gender disparities are very common in Boccaccio's writings, but women are often described as altruistic and fearless, without worrying about the consequences they might suffer from a man. One of the few examples where a woman doesn't seem completely advantageous in a situation is in Day V, the story of the knight who endlessly pursues his transgressor. Yet in this onestory, although the woman may appear to be a victim due to the consequences of her “actions,” both the male and female are punished, simultaneously. Setting aside the main plot of the man who moved to Ravenna to relieve his anguish, Boccaccio's story of the knight and his prey contains more important, if implicit, information. The knight, who feels he is pursuing “divine justice” by chasing after his transgressor says, "I, who once loved her so much, should persecute her, not as a beloved mistress, but as a mortal enemy, and that, every time I reached her, I would have to kill her with this attack." (P. 280). The knight, although completely in love with this woman, must now pursue her, never to find that his task is complete. Although the knight feels “offended” by the woman he adored, he is truly the object of punishment, because he has to chase her, without ever feeling accomplished for her murder. Boccaccio's inclusion of this story is crucial to the portrayal of men, as opposed to women. It implies that chasing women endlessly is a waste of energy, especially when a woman is able to readjust and continue running away from her suitors. It is important to note that Boccaccio recognizes that many women consume time and energy, without any reward for their "capture". Secondly, regarding gender disparities, economic divisions play a crucial role in Boccaccio's stories. A noteworthy story to delve into on this topic is in Day V, the story of the Nightingale. Caterina and Ricciardo, who slept together on the balcony of Caterina's house, were held in an affectionate embrace. Yet, instead of driving Ricciardo out of his father's house or killing him, they immediately married. This is due to the fact that Ricciardo belongs to the acceptable social and economic class, suitable for Caterina. Unlike Guiscardo, who was strangled for premarital affairs, Ricciardo is described as "a young man from the Minardi of Bertinoro, handsome and vigorous in person, named Ricciardo, who frequented the house of Messer Lizzio a lot". (P. 262). Later, after having caught his daughter in obscene acts, Messer Lizio asks Ricciardo: “You, to save yourself from death and me from shame, take Caterina with your legitimate wife”. (p. 264). This exchange is extremely noteworthy when documenting the influence of social class in the perception of the transgressor. The relationship between Guiscardo and Ghismonda and between Caterina and Ricciardo is essentially the exact same amount of sin, lust and secrecy. Yet Guiscardo and Ghismonda are dead, yet Caterina and Ricciardo live, due to the difference in economic standards. Although Boccaccio was not afraid to portray women as protagonists in their own lives, he was concerned about a relationship that was counterculture: a relationship that transcended economic boundaries. The only story that accepted a relationship with different economic levels was that of Falcone on the fifth day. The relationship, as initially described, was one-sided and the woman had little interest in her suitor. She, Madame Giovanna, was a widow with many riches left by her husband. Federigo had little to his name other than his farm and his bird, for he had spent much of his wealth trying to lure Madame Giovanna. Yet, somehow, Boccaccio gives in to the reader's desires, allowing the two to be united by their love, rather than their wealth or political premise. Madame Giovanna says to her suitor: "I know very well that it is as you say, but I would prefer a man who lacks riches than a wealth who lacks man." His brothers, listening to his mind and recognizing Federigo as a man of great merit, however4.