Page 277 - THE DECAMERON: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Conclusion of the Author I deny this, for there is nothing so unsuitable as to be forbidden
Giovanni Boccaccio to anyone, as long as it is expressed in suitable terms, which I
believe I have done here.
Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-1375) was an Italian poet, writer, and
scholar. His most famous and influential work is the Decameron, But let us assume that it is so (for I do not intend to argue with
completed by 1353, in which his ten characters present 100 tales you, who would overcome me), I say that many reasons readily
of everyday life. The Decameron remains a cornerstone of classic offer themselves as to why I have done this. Firstly, if there is
anything in any of them, the nature of the stories required it,
literature, offering timeless insights into human nature, social
and it will be abundantly clear to a person of understanding that
dynamics, and the resilience of the human spirit.
I could not have recounted them otherwise without distorting
them. If there are some words or phrases that are freer than
your squeamish hypocritical prudes would like, who weigh words
rather than deeds and study more to appear good than to be
good, I say that it should no more be forbidden to me to write
them than it is commonly forbidden to men and women to say
all manner of similar things.

No less liberty should be accorded to my pen than is conceded
to the brush of the artist, who, without any just reprimand,
paints Adam and Eve and affixes to the cross the feet of Him
who willed to die for the salvation of the human race. Moreover,
it is easy to see that these things are not spoken in the church,
where affairs are to be discussed with the chastest mind and
terms, nor in the schools of philosophy, nor among churchmen
Most noble ladies, for whose solace I have undertaken this long or philosophers, but amidst gardens, in a place of pleasure and
labor, I now, with the aid of divine favor (granted to me, as I
diversion, and among men and women, though young, yet of
believe, for your pious prayers and not for my own merits), have mature wit and not to be led astray by stories.
thoroughly accomplished what I set out to do at the beginning
of this work. Therefore, giving thanks first to God and then to Again, these stories, like everything else, can both harm and
you, it is time to give rest to my pen and to my tired hand.
benefit according to the disposition of the listener. Who does
not know that wine, though excellent for people in health, is
Before doing so, I intend to briefly address certain small matters
harmful to those with a fever? Shall we say, then, because it
that may be raised by some of you or by others. It seems clear harms the fevered, that it is bad? Who does not know that fire is
to me that these stories have no special privilege over other
most useful, even necessary to mortals? Shall we say, because
things; indeed, I remember showing at the beginning of the it burns houses and cities, that it is bad? Weapons assure the
fourth day that they have no such privilege. Some of you may
welfare of those who desire to live in peace and yet often kill
say that I have used too much license in writing these stories, men, not of their own malice, but of the perversity of those who
and in making ladies occasionally say and often listen to things
use them wrongfully. Corrupt minds never understand words
not very suitable to be said or heard by modest women.
healthily, and just as suitable words do not benefit depraved
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The Decameron