"The Decameron" employs satire and critique to expose the corruption and hypocrisy within the religious orders and the Church during the 14th century. The text portrays friars as greedy and self-indulgent, focusing on their materialism and lust rather than their spiritual duties. For example, the story of the Minor friar and inquisitor who is more interested in wealth than faith satirizes the Church's focus on material gain. Additionally, the character of the monk who pretends to be a pious man while engaging in inappropriate behavior with a woman highlights the double standards and moral decay within the religious community. The book also criticizes the Church's response to the Black Death, depicting the clergy as indifferent to the suffering of the people, further emphasizing the disconnect between the Church and the laity. Through these narratives, "The Decameron" serves as a scathing critique of the religious establishment of the time.