Discussion questions Decameron:  

1.  How are Jews represented in Day 1 Novel 2? What unique attributes do they possess? What is the Jew’s function in this story? What critique could Boccaccio be making about the condition of the Church? Do you see a duality or contradiction implied in the presentation of the Church?.

2.  In Day 1 Novel 3, how are Jews and Muslims portrayed? What is the relationship between the three faiths? Do you believe this is a common attitude? Why does Boccaccio use a Jew to express this attitude?  

3. What is the ultimate message of the story of Alatiel of Day 2 Novel VII?  Pamfilo says it is to show the dangers of excessive beauty but is there another point to his story as you get to its end? What is the narrator Pamfilo saying about women? What might this be saying about him? How are women portrayed in this tale? What is your opinion of her? Why does he use a non-Christian as the protagonist? How are non-Italians and non-Christians represented?

4. At the beginning of Day IV, Boccaccio intervenes in the work to refute certain critics. What do they object to and how does he answer their objections? Why does he include this digression?

5.  Let’s compare the two tales of the heart.  How are they similar? What differences do you see? Does the heart symbolize the same in both stories?  What does the heart symbolize? Who is/are the villain(s) and who the victim(s) in the stories? Why? How do the stories show the influence of courtly love and values? Why do the men choose such a gruesome form of revenge? What did they intend to accomplish or suggest by it? Why do the ladies commit suicide after? What may that represent or imply?

6. At the end, Boccaccio appears again to refute certain objections that the ladies may have. What do they object to and how does he answer their objections?