A Story of Ravenna
Giovanni Boccaccio’s A Story of Ravenna is a historical novel set in the Italian city of Ravenna during the Middle Ages. The novel follows the story of a young man named Guido, who is the son of a wealthy merchant. Guido is sent to Ravenna to learn the art of trading, but soon finds himself embroiled in a web of political intrigue and romance. Guido meets a beautiful woman named Isotta, who is the daughter of a powerful nobleman. Guido and Isotta fall in love, but their relationship is threatened by the machinations of the powerful families of Ravenna. Guido must navigate the treacherous waters of Ravenna’s politics in order to protect his love and his family’s honor. The novel follows Guido’s journey as he learns the secrets of Ravenna’s politics and discovers the truth about his family’s past. Along the way, he must confront his own inner demons and make difficult choices that will shape his future. In the end, Guido must decide whether to follow his heart or his head in order to protect the ones he loves.
By Giovanni Boccaccio · First published 1375 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure · 2,656 words
First lines
RAVENNA being a very ancient city in Romagna, there dwelt sometime a great number of worthy gentlemen, among whom I am to speak of one more especially, named Anastasio, descended from the family of Onesti, who by the death of his father, and an uncle of his, was left extraordinarily abounding in riches and growing to years fitting for marriage. As young gallants are easily apt enough to do, he became enamoured of a very beautiful gentlewoman, who was daughter of Messer Paolo Traversario, one of the most ancient and noble families in all the country. Nor made he any doubt, by his means and industrious endeavour, to derive affection from her again, for he carried himself like a brave-minded gentleman, liberal in his expenses, honest and affable in all his actions, which commonly are the true notes of a good nature, and highly to be commended in any man. But, howsoever, fortune became his enemy; these laudable parts of manhood did not any way friend him, but rather appeared hurtful to himself, so cruel, unkind, and almost merely savage did she show herself to him, perhaps in pride of her singular beauty or presuming on her nobility by birth, both which are rather blemishes than ornaments in a woman when they be especially abused.
What this Textopian page supports
A Story of Ravenna is listed on Textopian as a short story by Giovanni Boccaccio, dated 1375 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Giovanni Boccaccio
- Date: 1375 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure, Fantasy
- Length: 2,656 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for A Story of Ravenna by Giovanni Boccaccio
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — A Story of Ravenna is set in the 14th century and follows the story of a young woman living in the Italian city of Ravenna, making it a historical fiction novel.
- Romance — The novel follows the story of a young woman and her romantic relationships, making it a romance novel.
- Adventure — The novel follows the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and her adventures in the city of Ravenna, making it an adventure novel.
- Fantasy — The novel contains elements of fantasy, such as magical creatures and supernatural events, making it a fantasy novel.
Tags
Renaissance · Italy · Boccaccio · historical fiction · literature · narrative · cultural heritage · city life · romance · mythology · art · society