Lisetta Character Analysis in The Decameron

In Pampinea’s fourth tale (IV, 2), Lisetta is the wife of a wealthy Venetian merchant and Friar Alberto’s lover. Her character both satirizes Venetians (trade rivals of the Florentines) as gullible, talkative, and less than intelligent—as her various nicknames (Numbskull, Birdbrain) indicate. Her vanity further exemplifies misogynistic stereotypes of female sins.

Lisetta Character Timeline in The Decameron

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

...Venetians is the wife of a wealthy merchant, a “frivolous and scatterbrained” woman named Monna Lisetta. While her husband is away, she comes to Friar Alberto for confession, during which he... (full context)

Realizing that Monna Lisetta is easy prey because she’s not bright, Friar Alberto falls in love with her. He... (full context)

Because Gabriel loves her, Monna Lisetta should consider herself “the most blessed woman on earth.” She is thrilled and ready to... (full context)

After this interview, Monna Lisetta struts around her room with her head held so high that “her smock rose clear... (full context)

The next day, Monna Lisetta visits Friar Alberto, who claims to have no idea what happened to his body while... (full context)

Monna Lisetta’s brothers-in-law lay in wait to catch her lover, and the next time Friar Alberto stops... (full context)

...Honest Man has heard the rumors about the “angel” who left his wings with Monna Lisetta the previous night. Putting two and two together, he demands a large sum of money... (full context)