On the Fifth Day, Story Eight there is the interesting tale of Nastagio and the woman he is in love with. This story ties in the theme of masculinity. Im many stories we have read, the man is in a position of power. This power is reached by the time period's emphasis on male dominance, role in society, wealth and social stature. Nastagio is a man of all these things, especially wealth. He cannot convince this woman to marry him, but finally uses the cursed visions of a knight slaying his dead wife in the forest. This scene is gruesome and terrifying, how he succeeds in making this girl fall in love with him instead of running in fear shocks me. This story, unlike some of the other ones in the Decameron incorporates mythology and the idea of hell. Its a scary and unique story that shocked many readers.
I like how the Decameron bluntly brings up cheating in almost all its stories. It ranges from wives cheating on husbands, husbands in love with men, men sleeping with many many girls, the list goes on! The stories take on these topics in a comedic or horrific way. This theme is different from our past readings. In past readings such as Genesis or The Odyssey marriage and women are respected. If there was cheating it would not have been written in these ancient texts. The Decameron challenges all past writings and theories about social interaction. It emphasizes the unspoken truth about many marriages and relationships during this time period.
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