My review is going to assume the perspective of Aristotle:
Choose one of these thinkers, and based on the assigned readings from his work and your understanding of his view of stories and storytelling, explain what he might think of Boccaccio’s work.
The review should contain a very brief summary that identifies and discusses the main idea(s) of both The Decameron and the text by your chosen critic
Followed by a critique of The Decameron’s strengths and weaknesses in the voice of your chosen critic.
Platos views on storytelling- He opens by characterizing the effect of poetry [and storytelling] as a 'crippling of the mind'. It is a kind of a disease, for which one has to acquire an antidote. The antidote must consist of a knowledge 'of what things really are'. In short, poetry is a sort of mental poison, and is the enemy of truth. This is surely a shocker to the sensibilities of any modern reader and his incredulity is not lessened by the peroration with which, a good many pages later, Plato winds up his argument
Plato thought ethics was an exact (theoretical) science; Aristotle thought precision was extremely difficult in a science such as ethics. Please note that "science" is being used in its ancient sense of knowledge in general.
Aristotles views on storytelling- Art does not attempt to teach. It merely asserts it is thus or thus that life is perceived to be. That is my bit of reality, says the artist. Take it or leave it – draw any lessons you like from it – that is my account of things as they are – if it has any value to you as evidence or teaching, use it, but that is not my business: I have given you my rendering, my account, my vision, my dream, my illusion – call it what you will. If there is any lesson in it, it is yours to draw, not mine to preach.” Similarly, Plato’s charge that needless lamentations and ecstasies at the imaginary events of