Bitching about Medieval Literature

If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them


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This episode marks the halfway mark of the Decameron, with a story told by Dioneo (5.10) which starts with a gay man failing to sexually satisfy his wife, and ends with a threesome.

The story is followed by some reflection on the last six months of the podcast, and my thanks to Amanda Martel, my producer, and to all of you for listening.

CONTENT WARNINGS: Homophobic language: A gay man in this story is repeatedly described in the narration as 'perverse', 'unnatural', etc - however he is not punished by what happens in the story or persecuted in any way, and appears to live a pretty cheerful, content, and sexually fulfilled life. 

Violence: A character threatens/attempts murder of his wife's lover; in a similar situation, the lover expects violence but is not treated violently. 

Potentially coercive sexual situation: a character discovers his wife's lover and then 'arranges' matters so as to sleep with him. This is described as being to all their mutual satisfaction. 

Sexually explicit language: Even by our standards, this one leaves very little to the imagination.

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Bitching about Medieval LiteratureBy Gwen verch David

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