
LA FIAMMETTA - BY - GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO
INTRODUCTION
PROLOGUE
Chapter I
In this early 14th‑century tale, a young Florentine scholar finds himself enchanted by a noble lady he first glimpses on Easter Eve. Their friendship blossoms amid the glittering courts of Naples, and the narrator, driven by both admiration and longing, begins to pour his emotions onto parchment. The story unfolds as a delicate dance of poetry, wit, and tender yearning, revealing a heart that feels both fire and ice.
Through vivid dialogues and lyrical soliloquies, the narrative explores the fragile balance between public decorum and private desire as the lover watches his beloved move through aristocratic rituals. He crafts verses that attempt to warm her seemingly marble composure, while she remains a mystery, her reactions as elusive as shadows in a chapel. Listeners are invited into an intimate portrait of youthful devotion, set against the bustling backdrop of medieval Italy, where love is as much a social performance as a personal revelation.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (73K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Ted Garvin, Dave Morgan and PG Distributed Proofreaders
Release date
2003-11-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1313–1375
Best known for the lively, sharp-eyed stories of The Decameron, this major early Renaissance writer helped show that Italian vernacular literature could be as rich and serious as the classics. His work blends humor, wit, and a clear view of human behavior, which is why it still feels fresh centuries later.
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by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio

by Giovanni Boccaccio