# The Decameron — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio.

- [Proem](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/proem.md): The author explains his purpose in writing the Decameron: to provide solace and entertainment for lovesick ladies who, unlike men, have few diversions from their melancholy. He recounts how his own past love, though pain
- [The Decameron](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-decameron.md): The Decameron is a collection of 100 tales told by a group of seven young women and three young men who flee plague-ridden Florence to a countryside villa, where they entertain each other with stories over ten days, expl
- [Day the First](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-first.md): The first day of storytelling begins with the company's retreat to the countryside to escape the plague in Florence. They establish rules for storytelling and share tales that explore themes of wit, cunning, and moral hy
- [Day the First Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-first-introduction.md): The author introduces the devastating plague of 1348 in Florence, describing its symptoms and social breakdown. Seven young noblewomen (Pampinea, Fiammetta, Filomena, Emilia, Lauretta, Neifile, Elisa) meet in Santa Maria
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Master Ciappelletto, a notoriously wicked man, dupes a holy friar with a false confession on his deathbed, and after his death is mistakenly revered as a saint, illustrating how God may honor the purity of a suppliant's 
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Jehannot de Chevigné, a Christian merchant in Paris, repeatedly urges his Jewish friend Abraham to convert to Christianity. Abraham agrees to consider conversion only after visiting the papal court in Rome to observe the
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Saladin, in need of money, summons the wealthy Jewish moneylender Melchizedek and asks him which of the three laws—Jewish, Saracen, or Christian—is the true one, hoping to trap him. Melchizedek escapes the snare by telli
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): A young monk in a monastery in Lunigiana is caught with a young woman by his abbot. The monk, aware of being discovered, cleverly leaves the cell and gives the abbot the key, pretending to go to the wood. The abbot, over
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): The Marchioness of Monferrato, using a dinner of hens and clever words, curbs the extravagant passion of the King of France, demonstrating the power of wit and discretion in a woman of noble character.
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): An honest layman, after being falsely accused by a covetous inquisitor for a thoughtless remark about his wine, cleverly rebukes the monk's hypocrisy by referencing a Gospel verse about receiving a hundredfold, implying 
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Bergamino tells a story about Primasso and the Abbot of Cluny to courteously rebuke Messer Cane della Scala for his sudden parsimony. Messer Cane, a magnificent nobleman, had unexpectedly become stingy, leaving Bergamino
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Guglielmo Borsiere, a worthy minstrel, rebukes the avarice of the wealthy Genoese Messer Ermino de' Grimaldi by suggesting he have 'Liberality' painted in his new house, shaming him into becoming the most liberal and cou
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): A Gascon lady, after being abused by lewd fellows in Cyprus, seeks redress from the King of Cyprus but learns he is too pusillanimous to act. Instead of demanding justice, she rebukes his cowardice, which awakens him fro
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Queen Filomena concludes the first day with a story about Master Alberto of Bologna, an elderly physician who wisely and courteously responds to a lady's attempt to shame him for his love, turning the embarrassment back 
- [Day the Second](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-second.md): On the second day of storytelling, the brigata gathers under the rule of Filostrato, who sets the theme of tales about those who, after suffering misfortunes, achieve unexpected happiness. The stories explore fortune, fa
- [Day the Second Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-second-introduction.md): The second day of the Decameron begins under the governance of Filomena, with the company rising at dawn to enjoy the gardens, weaving garlands and disporting themselves. After eating in the cool and dancing, they rest a
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Martellino, a Florentine trickster, feigns paralysis to gain access to the body of Saint Arrigo in Treviso, pretending to be miraculously healed. His deception is exposed by a fellow Florentine, leading to a violent mob 
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Rinaldo d'Asti, a merchant, is robbed by highwaymen while traveling and left in his shirt in the cold. He seeks shelter under a widow's house outside Castel Guglielmo. The widow, expecting the Marquis Azzo, is disappoint
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Three young men squander their inheritance and fall into poverty. Their nephew Alessandro, returning home in despair, meets an abbot who is actually the King of England's daughter in disguise. They fall in love, marry, a
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Landolfo Ruffolo, a wealthy merchant from Ravello, loses his fortune through a failed trading venture and turns to piracy to recover his losses. After amassing great wealth, he decides to return home but is captured by G
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Andreuccio of Perugia, a naive young horse trader, arrives in Naples with five hundred gold florins. He is tricked by a Sicilian courtesan who, with the help of an old woman who knew his father, pretends to be his long-l
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Madam Beritola loses her husband and two sons after the fall of King Manfred. She is stranded on a desert island, later rescued by Currado Malespina. Her elder son Giusfredi (renamed Giannotto) becomes a servant in Curra
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Pamfilo tells the tale of Alatiel, a Saracen princess sent by her father, the Sultan of Babylon, to marry the King of Algarve. Due to a storm, she is shipwrecked and over four years passes through the hands of nine men, 
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): The Count of Antwerp, falsely accused by the princess, flees into exile with his two children, leaving them in England under assumed names. After years of hardship, he returns in disguise, finds them well-established, an
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Bernabo of Genoa, duped by Ambrogiuolo, loses his goods and orders his innocent wife killed. She escapes, disguises as a man named Sicurano, serves the Sultan, and eventually exposes the deceiver. Her husband is pardoned
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Dioneo tells the story of Messer Ricciardo di Chinzica, a weak and foolish judge who marries the young and beautiful Bartolomea but fails to satisfy her due to his impotence and excessive religious observance of holidays
- [Day the Third](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-third.md): On the third day of storytelling, the brigata gathers under the rule of Neifile, who sets the theme of people who achieve something they desire or recover something lost through their own efforts. The tales explore wit, 
- [Day the Third Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-third-introduction.md): Under the governance of Neifile, the company travels to a magnificent palace and garden, where they marvel at its beauty and prepare to tell stories about those who have achieved or recovered something through diligence.
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Masetto of Lamporecchio feigns dumbness to become a gardener at a convent of young nuns, who all eventually seek to lie with him. He satisfies them all until his feigned speech returns, and he negotiates a comfortable po
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): A horsekeeper of King Agilulf's queen, driven by hopeless love, impersonates the king to lie with the queen. The king discovers the deception but, to avoid scandal, marks the culprit by cutting his hair. The quick-witted
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): A noble lady, married to a wealthy but lowly wool-monger, falls in love with a gentleman of quality. Unable to openly court him, she cleverly uses a naive friar as an unwitting go-between. By feigning distress and confes
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Dom Felice, a young and cunning monk, teaches Fra Puccio a supposedly quick penance to achieve beatification, which involves fasting and standing still all night. While Fra Puccio performs this penance, Dom Felice sleeps
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Ricciardo, known as Il Zima, gives Messer Francesco Vergellesi a prized palfrey in exchange for permission to speak privately with Francesco's wife. Francesco, motivated by greed, agrees but instructs his wife to remain 
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Ricciardo Minutolo, a nobleman of Naples, is in love with Catella, the wife of Filippello Fighinolfi. Knowing Catella's jealousy of her husband, Ricciardo feigns love for another woman and then tricks Catella by telling 
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Tedaldo Elisei, having lost his mistress's favor, leaves Florence and becomes a wealthy merchant in Cyprus. After seven years, he returns disguised as a pilgrim, discovers his brothers believe him murdered and that Aldob
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Ferondo, a wealthy but simple-minded farmer, is tricked by an abbot who desires his wife. The abbot drugs Ferondo into a deathlike sleep, has him buried, then secretly imprisons him, convincing him he is in Purgatory. Me
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Gillette de Narbonne, a physician's daughter, cures the King of France of a fistula and demands Bertrand de Roussillon as her husband. Bertrand marries her against his will and flees to Florence, where he courts another 
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Dioneo tells the story of Alibech, a young girl who becomes a hermit and is taught by the monk Rustico to 'put the devil in hell,' a euphemism for sexual intercourse. After her father dies, she is found by Neerbale, who 
- [Day the Fourth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-fourth.md): The fourth day of storytelling begins under the rule of Filostrato, who sets a theme of tragic love stories. The tales often involve lovers who face cruel fates, separation, or death, highlighting the power of love and t
- [Day the Fourth Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-fourth-introduction.md): Boccaccio defends his work against critics who accuse him of overindulging in pleasing women, being too old for such tales, and wasting time on frivolous stories. He tells a partial story of Filippo Balducci, who raised 
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Tancred, Prince of Salerno, kills his daughter Ghismonda's lover Guiscardo and sends her his heart in a golden bowl. Ghismonda, having prepared poisoned water, pours it over the heart, drinks it, and dies.
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Fra Alberto, a corrupt friar, deceives the vain and simple Madam Lisetta by claiming that the angel Gabriel is in love with her. He arranges to visit her in the guise of the angel, sleeping with her multiple times. When 
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Three young men, Restagnone, Folco, and Ughetto, flee with three sisters (Ninetta, Maddalena, and Bertella) to Crete after Restagnone proposes a shared life. In Crete, Restagnone grows weary of Ninetta and pursues a new 
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Gerbino, grandson of King Guglielmo of Sicily, falls in love with the daughter of the King of Tunis through hearsay alone. They exchange tokens and messages, but the princess is betrothed to the King of Granada. Gerbino 
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Lisabetta's brothers murder her lover Lorenzo. His ghost appears to her in a dream, revealing the burial site. She secretly disinters his head and plants it in a pot of basil, watering it with her tears. Her brothers ste
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Andrevuola, secretly married to Gabriotto, dreams of his death. When he dies suddenly in her arms, she and her maid attempt to return his body to his home but are caught by officers. Brought before the provost, she defen
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Simona and Pasquino, two poor lovers in Florence, meet in a garden where Pasquino dies after rubbing a sage leaf on his teeth. Simona is accused of poisoning him, but while demonstrating the act to the judge, she also di
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Girolamo, a young Florentine, falls deeply in love with Salvestra, a tailor's daughter. His mother, disapproving of the match, sends him to Paris for two years. Upon his return, he finds Salvestra married to another man.
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Sir Guillaume de Roussillon, suspecting his wife's love for his friend Sir Guillaume de Guardestaing, ambushes and kills him, then serves his heart to his wife. Upon learning the truth, she throws herself from a window t
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): A physician's wife, neglected by her elderly husband, takes a lover named Ruggieri da Jeroli. When the doctor prepares a sleeping draught for a patient, the lover drinks it by mistake and is thought dead. The wife's maid
- [Day the Fifth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-fifth.md): The fifth day of storytelling under the rule of Fiammetta, where the tales focus on lovers who endure hardships and misfortunes but ultimately find happiness.
- [Day the Fifth Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-fifth-introduction.md): Under the governance of Fiammetta, the company rises at dawn, enjoys the dewy fields, returns for refreshments, dines with mirth and dancing, and then gathers by the fountain where the queen commands Pamfilo to begin the
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Cimon, a dullard transformed by love, wins Iphigenia by force at sea, is imprisoned in Rhodes, and is freed by Lysimachus to carry off their beloveds together.
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Costanza, believing her lover Martuccio Gomito dead, sets out to sea in a small boat to die, but is carried by the wind to Susa. There she learns he is alive and favored by the King of Tunis. They reunite, marry with the
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Pietro Boccamazza flees Rome with his beloved Agnolella, but they are separated when thieves attack. Agnolella escapes into a wood and is sheltered by a poor couple, then taken to a castle belonging to Lionello di Campod
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Ricciardo Manardi, a young gentleman, falls in love with Caterina, the daughter of Messer Lizio da Valbona. Caterina feigns discomfort from heat to arrange a bed in the gallery, where Ricciardo joins her at night. They a
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Guidotto da Cremona, on his deathbed, entrusts his young daughter to his friend Giacomino da Pavia. Years later, in Faenza, the girl, now a beautiful young woman, is courted by two rivals, Giannole di Severino and Minghi
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Gianni di Procida, a young man from the island of Procida, loves Restituta, the daughter of Marino Bolgaro of Ischia. After Restituta is kidnapped by Sicilian sailors and given to King Frederick of Sicily, Gianni tracks 
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Teodoro, a slave believed to be a Turk, is raised by Messer Amerigo and falls in love with his daughter Violante. They conceive a child, and when discovered, Teodoro is sentenced to be flogged and hanged. During his exec
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Nastagio degli Onesti, a wealthy young man of Ravenna, is hopelessly in love with a cruel and disdainful lady of the Traversari family who rejects him. At his friends' urging, he retreats to Chiassi, where he witnesses a
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Federigo degli Alberighi, a nobleman who has impoverished himself through lavish displays of love for the virtuous Madam Giovanna, is left with only a prized falcon. When Giovanna's son falls ill and desires the falcon, 
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Pietro di Vinciolo, a man with unnatural inclinations, goes to sup abroad. His wife, a lusty woman, arranges for a young lover to visit. Pietro returns unexpectedly, and the wife hides the youth under a hen-coop. Pietro 
- [Day the Sixth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-sixth.md): The sixth day of storytelling in the Decameron, where the tales often revolve around wit and clever retorts that save the speaker from embarrassment or danger.
- [Day the Sixth Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-sixth-introduction.md): The sixth day begins under the governance of Elisa, with the company rising at dawn, walking through the dewy grass, and returning to the palace for a meal. After singing and games, they gather by the fountain, but befor
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): A gentleman offers to carry Madam Oretta a-horseback with a story, but tells it so poorly—repeating words, backtracking, and mixing up names—that she politely asks to be set down, illustrating the value of witty speech i
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Cisti the baker, a man of noble spirit despite his humble trade, uses his excellent wine to discreetly teach Messer Geri Spina a lesson about propriety and respect, ultimately earning his friendship and esteem.
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Lauretta tells a story about Madam Nonna de' Pulci, who uses a sharp retort to silence the Bishop of Florence after he makes an inappropriate jest about her honor. The story illustrates the proper use of witty sayings th
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Chichibio, a Venetian cook in service to Currado Gianfigliazzi, saves himself from punishment by using a quick and witty excuse after giving away a crane's thigh to his beloved Brunetta. When Currado discovers the missin
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Pamfilo tells a story about Messer Forese da Rabatta, a renowned but physically ugly legal expert, and Giotto, the brilliant painter who was also plain-looking. They meet on the road returning from their country estates,
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Michele Scalza wagers a supper by proving to a group of young men that the Cadgers of Florence are the oldest and noblest gentlemen in the world, using a comical argument that God made them while He was still learning to
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Madam Filippa, caught in adultery by her husband Rinaldo, is brought before the provost of Prato under a cruel statute that condemns adulterous women to death. She defends herself with wit and logic, arguing that the law
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Emilia tells the story of Fresco da Celatico and his niece Ciesca, a vain and hypercritical young woman who complains about everyone she sees. Fresco wryly advises her to avoid looking in the mirror if she finds disagree
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Guido Cavalcanti, a philosopher and logician, is confronted by a group of Florentine gentlemen led by Messer Betto Brunelleschi, who tease him for not joining their company. Guido responds with a clever retort, calling t
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Fra Cipolla promises to show country folk a feather of the Angel Gabriel, but two young men, Giovanni and Biagio, steal the feather and replace it with coals. When Fra Cipolla discovers the coals, he cleverly reinterpret
- [Day the Seventh](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-seventh.md): On the seventh day, the brigata continues their storytelling under the rule of Dioneo, who has chosen the theme of tales about wives who play tricks on their husbands. The stories celebrate female cunning and wit, often 
- [Day the Seventh Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-seventh-introduction.md): The company awakens at dawn and travels to the Ladies' Valley, where they enjoy the beauty of the morning, sing with the birds, dine by the lake, and rest before gathering for storytelling under the governance of Dioneo.
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Gianni Lotteringhi, a simple-minded wool-comber, is awakened by a knocking at his door. His clever wife, Mistress Tessa, who is having an affair with Federigo di Neri Pegolotti, convinces him it is a phantom and performs
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Peronella, a young woman of Naples, cleverly hides her lover Giannello in a vat when her husband unexpectedly returns home. She pretends to have sold the vat for a higher price than her husband's offer, and while her hus
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Fra Rinaldo, a monk who has returned to his former worldly appetites, seduces his gossip Madam Agnesa by using twisted logic to justify their affair. When her husband unexpectedly returns home while they are together, th
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Tofano, a jealous husband, locks his wife out of the house after feigning drunkenness to test her fidelity. She tricks him by throwing a stone into a well to make him think she has drowned, then slips inside and locks hi
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): A jealous husband disguises himself as a priest to hear his wife's confession, hoping to uncover her sins. The wife, recognizing him, fabricates a story about a priest who visits her nightly through magical means. The hu
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Madam Isabella, while alone with her lover Leonetto at her country estate, is visited by Messer Lambertuccio, a man she fears. When her husband unexpectedly returns, she cleverly orchestrates a ruse: Lambertuccio storms 
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Lodovico, a Florentine gentleman, disguises himself as Anichino and becomes a servant to Messer Egano in Bologna to win the love of Egano's wife, Madam Beatrice. After confessing his love, Beatrice reciprocates and arran
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): A jealous merchant, Arriguccio, discovers his wife Sismonda's scheme to meet her lover Ruberto via a twine tied to her toe. He attempts to catch her, but Sismonda cleverly substitutes another woman in her bed, who is bea
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Lydia, wife of Nicostratus, falls in love with Pyrrhus, a servant. To prove her love, she fulfills three difficult requests: killing her husband's prized hawk, plucking a lock of his beard, and pulling out one of his tee
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Two Siennese friends, Tingoccio Mini and Meuccio di Tura, promise each other that the first to die will return with news of the afterlife. Tingoccio becomes godfather to a child and falls in love with his gossip, Mistres
- [Day the Eighth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-eighth.md): The eighth day of storytelling in the Decameron, where the brigata continues their tales from the countryside, focusing on themes of trickery, wit, and the cunning deceptions that people play on one another.
- [Day the Eighth Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-eighth-introduction.md): The eighth day of the Decameron begins under the governance of Lauretta, with the theme of tricks played by women on men, men on women, or men on one another. The company awakens on Sunday morning, walks through the dewy
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Gulfardo, a German soldier in Milan, desires Madam Ambruogia, the wife of his friend Guasparruolo. She agrees to sleep with him for 200 gold florins. Gulfardo borrows the money from Guasparruolo, then gives it to the lad
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): The parish priest of Varlungo, enamored of the buxom country wife Mistress Belcolore, tricks her into a tryst by leaving his cloak as a pledge for a loan of five crowns. After enjoying her favors, he regrets the loss of 
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Calandrino, Bruno, and Buffalmacco search for the magical heliotrope stone along the Mugnone. Maso del Saggio tricks Calandrino into believing he has found the stone, which renders the bearer invisible. Calandrino return
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): A widow lady, Madam Piccarda, is relentlessly pursued by the rector of Fiesole, an old but arrogant priest. To rid herself of his unwanted advances, she devises a clever plan with her brothers: she arranges a nighttime r
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Three young men, Maso del Saggio, Ribi, and Matteuzzo, play a prank on a provincial judge named Messer Niccola da San Lepidio during a court session. While the judge is distracted by their fabricated dispute over saddleb
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Bruno and Buffalmacco steal Calandrino's pig and then trick him into believing they can identify the thief using ginger boluses. They give him dog-balls made with aloes instead, making him appear guilty, and extort two p
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): A scholar named Rinieri, who studied in Paris, falls in love with a widow named Elena. She, already in love with another man, tricks Rinieri into spending a freezing winter night in her snowy courtyard while she enjoys h
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): In Siena, two close friends, Spinelloccio Tanena and Zeppa di Mino, each have beautiful wives. Spinelloccio begins an affair with Zeppa's wife. When Zeppa discovers the betrayal, he devises a measured revenge: he arrange
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Master Simone, a foolish physician newly returned from Bologna, is tricked by the painters Bruno and Buffalmacco into believing he can join a secret roving company. After being made to perform absurd rituals, he is throw
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Salabaetto, a Florentine merchant in Palermo, is seduced and cheated by the cunning Madam Biancofiore, who feigns love to extract money from him. After losing his goods, he flees to Naples, where his friend Pietro dello 
- [Day the Ninth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-ninth.md): The ninth day of storytelling under the rule of Emilia, where the brigata shares tales of various loves, deceptions, and clever escapes, continuing their tradition of narrative entertainment.
- [Day the Ninth Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-ninth-introduction.md): Under the governance of Queen Emilia, the brigata awakens to a beautiful morning and ventures into a nearby coppice where wild animals, unafraid due to the plague, play freely. They return garlanded with oak leaves and f
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Madam Francesca de' Lazzari, a widow in Pistoia, is courted by two Florentine exiles, Rinuccio Palermini and Alessandro Chiarmontesi. To rid herself of their unwanted advances, she devises a clever test: she asks each to
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): An abbess, rushing in the dark to catch a nun with her lover, accidentally puts on a priest's breeches instead of her coif. The accused nun notices and points it out, leading to her acquittal and the abbess's hypocritica
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Bruno, Buffalmacco, and Nello trick Calandrino into believing he is pregnant, convincing him to pay for a fake cure involving capons and a medicinal drink, which they consume themselves, while Calandrino recovers without
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Cecco Fortarrigo gambles away his own money and then steals from his master Cecco Angiolieri while he sleeps. When Angiolieri discovers the theft and tries to leave, Fortarrigo cunningly tricks local peasants into believ
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Calandrino falls in love with Niccolosa, a woman brought to the estate by Filippo. Bruno and Buffalmacco trick him by giving him a supposed talisman to win her affection. Calandrino's wife, Tessa, is informed by Nello an
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): Two young gentlemen, Pinuccio and Adriano, lodge with an innkeeper. Pinuccio sneaks into the bed of the host's daughter, Niccolosa, while Adriano accidentally ends up with the host's wife. When Pinuccio mistakenly tells 
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): Talano di Molese dreams that a wolf attacks his wife Margarita's face and throat. He warns her to stay home, but she disregards his advice, suspecting he is trying to hide a tryst. She goes to the woods, is attacked by a
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Biondello tricks Ciacco into attending a dinner at Messer Corso Donati's house, where only modest fare is served, leading Ciacco to seek revenge. Ciacco later sends a huckster to Messer Filippo Argenti with a mocking mes
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Two young men, Melisso and Giosefo, seek Solomon's counsel: one to be loved, the other to correct his froward wife. Solomon tells Melisso to 'love' and Giosefo to 'get thee to Goosebridge.' Initially perplexed, they late
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Dioneo tells a story about Dom Gianni, a priest who claims he can transform his mare into a woman. At the request of his friend Pietro and Pietro's wife Gemmata, Dom Gianni attempts to teach Pietro the enchantment to tur
- [Day the Tenth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-tenth.md): The final day of storytelling under the rule of Pamfilo, where tales of magnificent and generous deeds are shared, culminating in the return to Florence.
- [Day the Tenth Introduction](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/day-the-tenth-introduction.md): The tenth and final day of the Decameron begins under the governance of Pamfilo, who leads the company in a morning walk through the countryside, discussing their future life together before returning to the palace to re
- [The First Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-first-story.md): Messer Ruggieri de' Figiovanni, a valiant knight from Florence, serves King Alfonso of Spain but feels underappreciated when the king grants gifts to lesser men while giving him nothing. He asks leave to depart, and the 
- [The Second Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-second-story.md): Ghino di Tacco, a notorious highway-robber, captures the Abbot of Cluny and cures him of a stomach ailment using a simple diet of toasted bread and wine. Impressed by Ghino's generosity and skill, the abbot forgives him,
- [The Third Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-third-story.md): Mithridanes, envious of Nathan's renowned hospitality and generosity, plots to kill him. He travels to Nathan's palace, where Nathan, unaware of his identity, advises him on how to accomplish the murder. When Mithridanes
- [The Fourth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fourth-story.md): Messer Gentile de' Carisendi, having loved Madam Catalina in vain, learns of her apparent death and burial. He secretly opens her tomb, discovers she is still alive, and rescues her. After she gives birth to a son in his
- [The Fifth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-fifth-story.md): Madam Dianora, a noble lady of Udine, is passionately loved by Messer Ansaldo. To rid herself of his advances, she demands an impossible garden in January. Ansaldo, with the help of a nigromancer, creates the garden. Dia
- [The Sixth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-sixth-story.md): King Charles the Old, victorious over King Manfred, falls in love with a young girl, Ginevra the Fair, after visiting the garden of Messer Neri degli Uberti, a Ghibelline gentleman. Despite his passion, he is counseled b
- [The Seventh Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-seventh-story.md): King Pedro of Arragon learns of the fervent love borne him by Lisa, a Florentine apothecary's daughter, through the minstrel Minuccio. He visits her, comforts her, and later marries her to a noble young gentleman, kissin
- [The Eighth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-eighth-story.md): Titus Quintius Fulvus, studying in Athens, falls in love with Sophronia, the betrothed of his dear friend Gisippus. After a painful internal struggle, Titus confesses his love to Gisippus, who, valuing their friendship a
- [The Ninth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-ninth-story.md): Saladin, disguised as a merchant, is honorably entertained by Messer Torello d'Istria. Torello later joins the Third Crusade, is captured by Saracens, and gains favor with Saladin through his skill in training hawks. Whe
- [The Tenth Story](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/the-tenth-story.md): Gualtieri, the Marquess of Saluzzo, marries a poor peasant girl, Griselda, to test her patience and obedience. He pretends to kill their children and later casts her out, only to bring her back after proving her unwaveri
- [Conclusion of the Author](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/conclusion-of-the-author.md): The author concludes the Decameron, defending his work against potential criticisms regarding its licentiousness, length, and frivolity. He argues that the stories are told in seemly terms, suited to their audience of id
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide scholarly annotations, clarifications, and contextual explanations for terms, references, and passages within the Decameron, including historical figures, linguistic notes, and cultural allusions.
- [Glossary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters/glossary.md): A glossary of archaic and obscure terms used throughout the Decameron, providing modern definitions for words such as 'Alegresse,' 'Algates,' 'Assoiled,' and 'Ywis.'

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_decameron_se/chapters