The Decameron (Day Four / 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 6.7, 6.10)

Cynthia Ambrozej & Sarah Russell

Blog Questions

Choose two of the following questions to answer:

1) 5:8- Do you believe it is the women who have ‘power’ in this story, or the men? Explain using evidence from the text.

2) 5:9- What is your interpretation of the quote, “…I would much rather have a man who lacks money than money that lacks a man”? (pg. 431)

3) 5:10- How do the following quotes tie in to gender and gender reversal?

“I took him as my husband and brought him a big, fat dowry, thinking he was a man and believing he was fond of what men are fond of what men are and should be fond of, and if I had any idea that he was not a man, I would never have married him.” (pg. 433)

“And what the devil are we women good for hen we are old anyway…?” “It’s not the same with men…” (pg. 434)

4) 6:7- How does this story show an example of how women have power and how they stand up for their rights?

5) 6:10- Explain how Brother Cipolla uses wit to his advantage to escape a tough situation? Use contextual evidence.

OR

Give an example for two of the three based on any of the stories read (5:8 5:9 5:10 6:7 6:10) and explain how you think they were used for good or evil:

1.) Wit employed to escape harm
2.) Wit employed for entertainment
3.) Wit employed for retaliation