1. “Federigo's Falcon" by Giovanni Boccaccio

2. About the author
Born June 16, 1313 in Certaldo, Italy and died December 21, 1375 in Certaldo, Italy
Giovanni Boccaccio grew up in Florence and began writing poetry as a child
His father rejected his son’s literacy, forcing him to give up writing and learn business which turned out to be a lost cause

3. Giovanni Boccaccio wrote during the end of the medieval period
He focused on human conditions instead of spiritual matters
He wrote the masterpiece The Decameron which set the contemporary language of his day as a practice of literary expression

4. Federigo's Falcon Sub-story within the Decameron
Involves ten characters who flee to the escape a plague that is devastating Florence, Italy
They amuse themselves for ten days by telling stories, picking a “king” or “queen” each day to head up the storytelling
The bulk of The Decameron is mostly comprised of the 100 tales they make up
In the beginning of the story the “queen” for the day decides that she wants to tell her own story

5. Federigo is a romantic hero who seeks the love of Monna Giovanna, a well-born woman
Federigo’s lose of wealth adds a complication to winning over Monna
A sacrifice must be made for love…the question is how big of a sacrifice must be made, and what would you sacrifice for love?