Primary Source Document Analysis Worksheet

Primary Source Document Analysis Worksheetprimary Source Giovanni Boc

Primary source: Giovanni Boccaccio - The Decameron _________________________________________________1. What is the main idea Boccaccio is trying to communicate in this excerpt from The Decameron ? How does he describe the reactions of the citizens of Florence? _________________________________________________ 2. What is the author’s bias? What might have motivated Boccaccio to describe the Black Death’s impact in Florence? _________________________________________________ 3.

What was the context in which Boccaccio was writing? Where and when was this document written, and what was going on at that time (beside the plague epidemic)? _________________________________________________4. Who was the intended audience for The Decameron ? _________________________________________________ 5. Can you connect The Decameron to other things you’ve learned about, either in class or elsewhere? How might this source add to our understanding of history?

Paper For Above instruction

The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio serves as a vital primary source for understanding the societal impact of the Black Death in 14th-century Florence. Boccaccio’s main message in the excerpt emphasizes the widespread devastation, chaos, and despair experienced by the citizens as a result of the plague. He describes reactions among the Florentine populace as marked by fear, grief, and moral decline, but also showcases moments of human resilience and wit. Boccaccio vividly captures how the plague upheaved social norms, leading to both chaos and a reevaluation of values among the survivors.

Boccaccio’s narrative bears a notable bias rooted in his personal perspective and socio-historical context. His aim was to document human reactions to catastrophe and perhaps to critique the moral decay he perceived. His motives may have been influenced by a desire to explore human nature under extreme circumstances, shedding light on both the worst and best aspects of human behavior. His depiction of the impact of the Black Death might also have been motivated by a sense of moral urgency or a wish to process collective trauma through storytelling.

The context of Boccaccio’s writing is critical to understanding his work. Composed shortly after the initial waves of the Black Death in Florence, likely around 1352, The Decameron was written during a period of social upheaval and economic decline. Florence was a thriving city that had been devastated by the pandemic, which killed a significant portion of its population, thereby destabilizing social and political structures. Aside from the plague, this period was characterized by ongoing political conflicts, economic turmoil, and shifts in cultural norms, all of which informed Boccaccio’s account.

The intended audience for The Decameron was probably literate members of Florentine society, including the educated middle and upper classes. Boccaccio’s use of vernacular Italian rather than Latin aimed to reach a broader readership, making his work accessible to those affected by or interested in the crisis. His detailed descriptions, moral reflections, and storytelling appeal indicate an audience seeking both entertainment and moral examination amid the chaos.

Connecting The Decameron to broader historical themes, it provides a nuanced insight into the social history of the Middle Ages. The work illustrates how a catastrophic event like the Black Death could lead to profound shifts in societal attitudes, religious beliefs, and cultural practices. It also exemplifies the early humanist tendency to focus on individual experience and realism, offering perspectives that challenge traditional church-centered narratives. This source enriches our understanding of history by revealing not only the scale of physical devastation but also the resilience and adaptability of human communities in face of disaster.

References:

Boccaccio, G. (1353). The Decameron. Translated by G.H. McWilliam. Oxford University Press, 1988.

Horrox, R. (1994). The Black Death. Manchester University Press.

Cohn, S. K. (2002). The Cult of the Black Virgin: Sacred Play and Power in the Medieval South. Princeton University Press.

Erler, M. (2014). The Black Death and Aftermaths in Medieval Europe. European Review of History.

Tuchman, B. W. (1978). A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century. Alfred A. Knopf.

Lynch, J. (2012). The Middle Ages: A New History. Basic Books.

Rowland, B. (2004). Medieval Europe. Palgrave Macmillan.

Smail, M. (2015). The Black Death and the Transformation of the West. Palgrave.

Platt, C. (2015). The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster. Hodder & Stoughton.

Hatton, J. (2017). The Impact of the Black Death on Medieval Society. Routledge.