# Day the First explained — The Decameron

> Chapter companion for The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-first
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters