Giovanni (Zoan) Francesco Straparola, who lived from about 1480 to 1557, is best known for his story collection The Pleasant Nights {Le Piacevoli Notti}, originally published in Venice in 1550 (vol. 1) and 1553 (vol. 2). Le Piacevoli Notti included seventy-three tales of various types. It is squarely within the medieval tradition of Boccaccio’s Decameron. Straparola’s Piacevoli Notti was widely read and influential in carrying forward liberal and tolerant medieval storytelling, including stories of men’s sexed protest.
Medieval literature students should study courtly love to learn about gender inequality, abuse of men & ideological idiocy. Don’t be a courtly lover! … Read the post courtly love learning led to student’s humiliation
The male gaze, widely condemned and widely misunderstood, seeks a woman’s face in the personal, human uniqueness of her beauty. … Read the post the male gaze desires to see a woman’s face
At attack on an ass that ended with faith in the Lord became a fairy-tale: a doll attacks an ass, but everyone ultimately lives happily ever after. … Read the post loss of faith: fairy-tale ending to attack on ass
A man rescuing an imprisoned damsel is a gendered romance convention. The 16th century author Straparola progressively transgressed gender and romance. … Read the post romance of rescuing damsel imprisoned in tower, transgressed
In bed on her wedding night, a wife wore gloves because she wouldn’t touch a man with bare hands. Her husband created an opportunity for compromise. … Read the post wife and husband compromise for marital love