decamerlike

Decamerlike is an adjective used to describe something that resembles or is reminiscent of the structure and thematic elements found in Giovanni Boccaccio's *Decameron*. The *Decameron*, a 14th-century work, is a collection of one hundred novellas told by a group of ten young people fleeing the plague in Florence. They pass the time by each telling a story per day for ten days, hence the title.

A decamerlike narrative typically involves a framing device where a group of individuals are sequestered or isolated and pass the time by recounting stories. These stories can vary widely in genre, often encompassing tales of love, fortune, wit, tragedy, and morality. The overall tone can range from lighthearted and humorous to serious and poignant, reflecting the diverse human experiences explored within the *Decameron*. The collection of individual tales within a larger, unifying context is a key characteristic.

The term "decamerlike" implies a polyvocal quality, where multiple distinct voices and perspectives are presented through the individual stories. It suggests a collection of interconnected narratives, often bound by a shared situation or purpose among the storytellers. The influence of the *Decameron*'s structure can be seen in later literary works that employ similar framing techniques and thematic richness.