The Decameron · Chapter
Day the First explained
The first day of storytelling begins with the company's retreat to the countryside to escape the plague in Florence.
What happens
The first day of storytelling begins with the company's retreat to the countryside to escape the plague in Florence. They establish rules for storytelling and share tales that explore themes of wit, cunning, and moral hypocrisy.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this story, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Lisa, a lowborn apothecary’s daughter, is cons…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Wit and Cunning
The first day's tales often feature clever characters using wit to navigate moral dilemmas or escape punishment.
- Religion and Hypocrisy
Several stories critique religious figures who act hypocritically, contrasting their piety with their behavior.
Characters to notice
- Pampinea
Proposes the retreat to the countryside and the storytelling framework.
- Dioneo
Agrees to the storytelling rules and participates in the first day's tales.
- Lauretta
One of the seven ladies who joins the retreat and storytelling.
- Filostrato
One of the three men who accompany the ladies to the countryside.
- Fiammetta
Another of the seven ladies present during the first day.
Key passages
“In the year of our Lord 1348, the deadly plague broke out in the great city of Florence...”
In 1348, a devastating plague struck Florence.
Sets the historical backdrop for the entire Decameron.
“They decided to leave the city and go to a country villa, where they could enjoy the fresh air and pleasant surroundings.”
The group resolved to flee the city for a countryside villa to escape the plague.
Describes the retreat that initiates the storytelling.
