Bertrand Character Analysis in The Decameron

In Neifile’s third tale (III, 9), Bertrand is the Count of Roussillon’s son and Gilette’s childhood playmate. He grows up in the household of the French King to be a handsome but haughty young man who is angry when the King forces him to marry bourgeois Gilette. He insists that he will only acknowledge her or consummate the marriage if she meets impossible standards, and subsequently falls in love with an impoverished but nobly born young woman. When Gilette proves the nobility of her own character and meets his conditions, he finally comes to love and honor her as his wife.

Bertrand Quotes in The Decameron

The The Decameron quotes below are all either spoken by Bertrand or refer to Bertrand. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“Sire,” said Bertrand, “you have the power to take away everything I possess, and hand me over to anyone you may choose, for I am merely your humble vassal. But I can assure you that I shall never rest content with such a match.”

“Of course you will,” said the King, “for she is beautiful, intelligent, and deeply in love with you. Hence we are confident that you will be much happier with her than you would ever have been with a lady of loftier birth.”

Related Characters: Bertrand (speaker), Gilette

Page Number and Citation: 267

Explanation and Analysis:

Bertrand Character Timeline in The Decameron

The timeline below shows where the character Bertrand appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...a member of his household staff. Gerard’s daughter Gilette grows up alongside the Count’s son Bertrand. When the Count dies, his son goes to the king’s court to be fostered. This... (full context)

...can cure (but which she knows how to treat), she sees a chance to win Bertrand’s hand in marriage. The king, after many painful attempts, has given up on treatments, but... (full context)

Gilette heals the king and asks for Bertrand as her husband. Bertrand is unwilling and indignant because Gilette is a “she-doctor” and her... (full context)

Compelled to marry Gilette, Bertrand refuses to consummate the marriage except in Roussillon, and he avoids returning by offering to... (full context)

...decided to spend the rest of her life as a pilgrim in exile so that Bertrand can return. Despite their pleas for her to stay, she dresses in pilgrim’s garb, takes... (full context)

In Florence, Gilette soon catches sight of Bertrand. Her innkeeper explains that he is an affable gentleman who is hopelessly in love with... (full context)

Gilette wants the Impoverished Noblewoman to send a messenger to Bertrand saying that her daughter is ready to become his lover, but first she wants his... (full context)

Bertrand falls for their plan, and contentedly sleeps with Gilette—thinking her to be the Impoverished Noblewoman’s... (full context)

...in time for a great feast. Wearing the ring and carrying his children, she enters Bertrand’s palace and throws herself at his feet. She tells her story, and he is so... (full context)