Giovanni Boccaccio, born in 1313 in either Florence or Certaldo, was the illegitimate son of a merchant. He initially pursued business and canon law studies in Naples but soon gravitated toward literature, influenced by scholars like Paolo da Perugia. This period marked the beginning of his literary journey. During his time in Naples, Boccaccio immersed himself in the vibrant court life of King Robert of Anjou. He composed early works such as Filocolo and Filostrato, reflecting his deepening literary passion. His unrequited love for a noblewoman, whom he referred to as "Fiammetta," inspired much of his writing during this era. Returning to Florence in 1340 due to financial hardships, Boccaccio witnessed the devastation of the Black Death in 1348. This experience profoundly influenced his seminal work, The Decameron, a collection of 100 tales that offer insight into human nature amidst crisis. Later in life, he formed a lasting friendship with poet Francesco Petrarch and contributed significantly to humanist scholarship.
