The Decameron: Is It Based on a True Story or Book?

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The Decameron: Is It Based on a True Story or Book?

As a dedicated fan of historical fiction and someone who has studied European history extensively, I was initially intrigued by the premise of “The Decameron” on Netflix. The title and the setting immediately reminded me of Boccaccio’s famous collection of short stories from the 14th century.

As someone who has spent years studying European history, I can tell you that “The Decameron,” the eight-episode limited series now streaming on Netflix, is a fascinating and darkly comedic take on a pivotal moment in our continent’s past. Having lived through various plagues and pandemics myself, I find the narrative set in 1348 Italy particularly resonant.

Here is what we have discovered on the origin of The Decameron.

Is Netflix’s The Decameron based on a true story and real events?

The Decameron isn’t inspired by real events; instead, its creation is attributed to Kathleen Jordan during the initial stage of the COVID-19 crisis. Her motivation stemmed from observing a disconnect between reality and the lives of certain celebrities.

During an interview with The New York Times, Jordon shared her thoughts on how the ongoing global pandemic affected her program focusing on the Black Death. She noted that even though countless lives were lost, prominent figures seemed preoccupied with being confined at home, which she found both annoying and aggravating.

Jordan aimed to capture the unique essence of that historical instant in a reflective creation. He strove for a work that accentuated the significant divide between the wealthy and the less fortunate. Simultaneously, she needed to exercise caution to avoid coming off as overly didactic when addressing these topics.

Furthermore, Jordan disclosed to the media that the writing team for the show occasionally watched Survivor on CBS during production. The reason being, Survivor is essentially a program about “making it” or “persevering.”

Is The Decameron based on a book?

The Decameron isn’t based on any single source but takes inspiration from the title work of Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th-century collection. In this narrative, Boccaccio presents one hundred stories told by ten people (seven women and three men) who escaped to a rural villa during the plague.

The title is derived from the Greek words for “ten” and “day,” creating a term that could be interpreted as “ten-day occurrence.” This signifies the limited span of time within this narrative framework for the characters to share their stories.

In Jordan’s opinion, the likeness between her production and Boccaccio’s classic text is restricted primarily to the storytelling format. A scholar specializing in Italian medieval literature might feel let down if they attend this show with the hope of witnessing their beloved Decameron tales brought to life.

In simpler terms, The Decameron is largely a work of fiction, although it draws inspiration from the title story collection.

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2024-07-25 19:41