The Decameron · Chapter
The Fourth Story explained
A young monk in a monastery in Lunigiana is caught with a young woman by his abbot.
What happens
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, overcome by lust, enters the cell and takes his own pleasure with the girl. The monk, who had hidden and watched, later confronts the abbot, who pardons him and they both continue to enjoy the girl's company.
Themes in this chapter
Religion and Hypocrisy
The abbot, who is supposed to enforce monastic discipline, succumbs to the same temptation as the monk, revealing the hypocrisy within the religious order.
Wit and Cunning
The monk uses his wits to avoid punishment by tricking the abbot into revealing his own hypocrisy, thus turning the tables.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“‘Marry, why should I not take somewhat of pleasure, whenas I may, more by token that displeasance and annoy are still at hand, whenever I have a mind to them? This is a handsome wench and is here unknown of any in the world. If I can bring her to do my pleasure, I know not why I should not do it. Who will know it? No one will ever know it and a sin that’s hidden is half forgiven. Maybe this chance will never occur again. I hold it great sense to avail ourselves of a good, whenas God the Lord sendeth us thereof.’”
The abbot rationalizes his desire to take advantage of the girl, thinking that since no one will know, it is a sin half-forgiven and a rare opportunity not to be missed.
This internal monologue reveals the abbot's self-justification for his hypocrisy.
“‘Sir, I have not yet pertained long enough to the order of St. Benedict to have been able to learn every particular thereof, and you had not yet shown me that monks should make of women a means of mortification, as of fasts and vigils; but, now that you have shown it me, I promise you, so you will pardon me this default, never again to offend therein, but still to do as I have seen you do.’”
The monk cleverly points out that the abbot has taught him that monks can use women for mortification, just like fasting, and promises to follow the abbot's example if pardoned.
This is the monk's witty retort that exposes the abbot's own sin and secures his pardon.