Language:
German
Year of publication:
1997
Titel der Quelle:
Aschkenas; Zeitschrift für Geschichte und Kultur der Juden
Angaben zur Quelle:
7,2 (1997) 303-339
Keywords:
Boccaccio, Giovanni,
;
Jewish literature History and criticism
;
Antisemitism in literature
;
German literature History and criticism
;
Antisemitism History 1500-1800
Abstract:
Notes the escalation of antisemitism in Reformation Germany, and illustrates it by the changes made by German writers in the second and third tales of the Decameron. Both of these have Jewish protagonists, whom Boccaccio praises for their wisdom. Abraham, in the second tale, converts to Christianity when he sees the corruption in the Roman Church: a religion that can flourish in spite of this must be favored by God. As a satire on the Catholic Church, this tale is adopted by German Protestant writers; but in their versions, wisdom becomes slyness and the Jew converts in order to take part in the corruption. In Boccaccio's third tale, Melchisedek relates the ring parable, a plea for religious tolerance. German writers either ignored this tale or used it to plead for religious freedom for Protestants (only). Remarks that the Converso Solomon ibn Verga reflects the times realistically: in his version, the king and his adviser are not impressed by the ring parable, and continue to debate whether to convert the Jew by reasoning or by force.
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