A journey through Boccaccio's Decameron

City Lit

Course

In London

£ 49 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Location

    London

  • Start date

    Different dates available

In the 14th century, Boccaccio created a ground breaking literary work about Medieval themes seen through his own impressions of real life characters. The Decameron is his most famous work. Come and enjoy his entertaining and worldly tales. Comic and tragic, bawdy and satiric in turns, Boccaccio was criticised in his own time for writing on topics that were considered immoral.Stylistically, his work not only represented the best of classical Italian prose but went on to influence Renaissance literature in the whole of Europe. Drawing from the Medieval world, The Decameron goes beyond Boccaccio’s time and we witness ordinary men dealing with their own destiny and trying to overcome it.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
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Keeley Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BA

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

- describe the audience Boccaccio wrote for- name some key themes in Boccaccio's Decameron- give an example of how and why Boccaccio went beyond morality.

Some writing material if you would like to take notes. Selected novellas from the book will be provided by the tutor, but if you wish to buy a copy, the recommended edition is the one translated by G.H. McWilliam (Penguin, 2003, ISBN 9780140449303).

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Course programme

After setting the scene through an overview of Italy in the 13th and 14th century, we will look at Boccaccio's life and how it influenced his works. We will then view the structure and themes of the Decameron, which will be accompanied by reading of some extracts. We will also watch a scene from the film version of the Decameron directed by P.P. Pasolini in 1971.


This class will be taught by Francesco Bucciol. The session will be a mixture of tutor-led lecture combined with group discussion and readings (handouts provided by the tutor). Some group or pair activities will be included. A further reading list will be provided at the end.

Additional information


Any other literature class. Please check our website for more information.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details

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A journey through Boccaccio's Decameron

£ 49 VAT inc.

The best Literature courses

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