Giovanni Boccaccio
Giovanni Boccaccio: The Most Pleasant and Delectable Questions of Love
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[email protected] 2017 OK Publishing ISBN 978-80-272-3382-3
Table of Contents
The Booke to the Reader
Loke ere thou leap, dome not by view of face, Least hast make wast, in misdoming the case: For I teach not to love, ne yet his lore, Ne with what salve is cared such a sore, But I the carke with cares that therby haps, The blis with joyes the storms with thunderclaps, The curtesies where most his force is shewede, The choise of best, be it of good or lewde, Compare them so, as doomed is the dout, Thereof, and ay the truth well sifted out: The which to reade such pleasure thou shalt finde, As may content a well disposed minde.
Analytical Contents
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
The Argument
CHAPTER TWO
The First Question, Proposed by Philocpo. A young woman, asked to show which of two lovers she loves the more, each of whom claims to be the favoured one, places on the head of one her own garland, and taking from the other that which he wears, wears it herself. To which did she show the more favour?
CHAPTER THREE
The Second Question, proposed by Parmenio. A young gentleman in love with a young maiden takes as a go-between an old, wrinkled beggar-woman. She contrives to bring him to the maiden but all are taken together by the brothers of the maid, who condemn the young gentleman to stay both with their sister and the old woman each for a year and to have converse precisely alike with each. Only he may choose which he will take first and which last. Then which should he have taken for the first year?
CHAPTER FOUR
The Third Question, proposed by a young gentlewoman. To which of three aspirants should a lady give her preference, to him who excels in valour, or to him who is most courteous and liberal, or to him who is wisest?
CHAPTER FIVE
The Fourth Question, proposed by Menedon. A story in which the question has to be resolved which of three persons, the husband, the lover or the magician has behaved most generously.
CHAPTER SIX
The Fifth Question, Proposed by Clonico. Which is the more unhappy, a lover who cannot obtain the favour of his mistress, or he who having obtained it has reason for jealousy.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Sixth Question, proposed by a young gentlewoman. Two maidens in love with the same youth wish to induce him to choose between them. Agreed on this, one runs to him, embraces and kisses him; the other cannot but remains apart all shy and shameful. Which loved him better and more deserved his love?
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Seventh Question, proposed by Caleone. Is love a good or an evil? It is in this Question that Galeon, or, as the better reading is, Caleon, in a charming ballad, explains the sense of the name Fiammetta.
CHAPTER NINE
The Eighth Question, proposed by a young gentlewoman named Paola. Of two women whom he likes equally, ought a young man to prefer her who is superior to him by noble birth and parentage and riches, or her who is inferior to him in all these things? Fiammeta, who answers this question by saying that a young man should prefer her who is superior in birth and station, was of course herself in this position in regard to Boccaccio.
CHAPTER TEN
The Ninth Question, proposed by Feramonte, Duke of Montorio. Which is it better that a young man should fall in love with, a maiden, a married woman or a widow?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Tenth Question, Proposed by Ascaleone. A beautiful and noble lady beloved of all but especially by two young knights, is falsely accused and condemned to the fire. The judge however in doubt leaves open a way of escape. If any knight could be found who would fight in defence of her honour against the first who should maintain the contrary and should overcome, she should be free, but if he should be beaten, she should be burned. The two lovers come forward and fight and one allows himself to be vanquished for her sake. Which should she have loved the better?
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Eleventh Question, proposed by a gentlewoman named Graciosa. Which is the greater delight to the lover, to see his mistress present, or not seeing her to think lovingly of her?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The