The Decameron

The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio is a collection of short stories written in the 14th century.  This seminal work features a framing narrative in which a group of ten nobles—seven women and three men—flee the decaying city of Florence during the Black Death.  As they take refuge in the countryside, each member of the group recounts a tale over ten separate days, resulting in a rich tapestry of stories that explore themes such as love, deception, and morality.