Decameron: Sex and Temptation
1. Analyze the satire revealed in the bawdy tale of Alibech and Rustico ("putting the devil in hell") from The Decameron. Of what does it make fun? What moral or lesson does it teach?
The Decameron is a comedy that can can be taken in a variety of ways. It is a story of a
The serious message underlying the comedy is Don't entertain temptation! Monks practice religious asceticism. This describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures. They practice strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline. The book mentions that Rustico was a young hermit. It is clear to see that he did not possess the strength to resist temptation. Instead he entertained the temptation by allowing a young beautiful virgin to stay with him. Each of the holy men prior to Rustico saw that Alibech was young and pretty and feared that if they kept her with them they would be tempted of the devil, so they each sent her on her way after helping her with food and drink. Rustico was a little prideful to think that he could test his test his spiritual strength and not send her away. "Almost immediately after this, temptation began the struggle with his spiritual strength, and the hermit found that he had greatly over-estimate his powers of resistance." The battle was lost at first look. The temptation began when he simply saw her. At first glance he was filled with lust. The older monks knew that you cannot always prevent temptation, but knew the way of escape was to send Alibech on her way. Rustico thought the his faith was strong enough to overcome the temptation. You may have strong faith but you also have to know your areas of weakness, and that is where temptation struck Rustico. His desires greatly conflicted with his obedience.
2. Analyze the satire revealed in the bawdy tale of Alibech and Rustico ("putting the devil in hell") from The Decameron. Of what does it make fun? What moral or lesson does it teach?
The Decameron is a comedy that can can be taken in a variety of ways. It is a story of a
The serious message underlying the comedy is Don't entertain temptation! Monks practice religious asceticism. This describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures. They practice strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline. The book mentions that Rustico was a young hermit. It is clear to see that he did not possess the strength to resist temptation. Instead he entertained the temptation by allowing a young beautiful virgin to stay with him. Each of the holy men prior to Rustico saw that Alibech was young and pretty and feared that if they kept her with them they would be tempted of the devil, so they each sent her on her way after helping her with food and drink. Rustico was a little prideful to think that he could test his test his spiritual strength and not send her away. "Almost immediately after this, temptation began the struggle with his spiritual strength, and the hermit found that he had greatly over-estimate his powers of resistance." The battle was lost at first look. The temptation began when he simply saw her. At first glance he was filled with lust. The older monks knew that you cannot always prevent temptation, but knew the way of escape was to send Alibech on her way. Rustico thought the his faith was strong enough to overcome the temptation. You may have strong faith but you also have to know your areas of weakness, and that is where temptation struck Rustico. His desires greatly conflicted with his obedience.
2. Analyze the satire revealed in the bawdy tale of Alibech and Rustico ("putting the devil in hell") from The Decameron. Of what does it make fun? What moral or lesson does it teach?