An Attempt at a Historic Reading of the Short Story Exemplum IX, Day ІІ (Bernabò and Ginevra) from Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron

Angel Angelov
Institute for Literature - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

https://doi.org/10.53656/bel2022-2-1-АА

Abstract. I attempt to restore elements of the horizon of perception that readers and listeners of the Bernabò and Zinevra novella (IX, Day II) from Decameron may have had in Italian cities in the mid-14th century. I discuss topics such as sustainability in social roles, cruelty and justice, the image of wolves, topography, the relationship between fairy tale and authenticity, the importance of the exemplum. The novel exemplum conveys experience, indicates a norm and its violation. Speaking of truth, deception and punishment, the short story establishes a pattern of behaviour.
Keywords: exemplum; social roles; cruelty and justice; Decameron, 14th century

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