Mazzeo della Montagna Character Analysis in The Decameron

Mazzeo della Montagna appears in Dioneo’s fourth tale (IV, 10). Based on a historical, 14th-century physician, Mazzeo is a respected doctor who marries a young and beautiful woman (Mazzeo’s Wife), whom he is subsequently unable to satisfy sexually. Thus, along with Ricciardo di Chinzica, Friar Puccio, and Nicostratos, he exemplifies the stereotypical medieval character of the senex amans (old lover). Further, he demonstrates a cavalier attitude towards the sexual mores of the lower-class members of his household, forgiving the Trusted Maid for an affair he wouldn’t have been happy to discover his wife conducting with Ruggieri d’Aieroli.

Mazzeo della Montagna Character Timeline in The Decameron

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

...to add to the collection. Instead, he promises a more agreeable theme. In Salerno, Doctor Mazzeo della Montagna marries a beautiful young woman in his old age. Because he’s rich, he keeps her... (full context)

...a calendar of saint’s days to keep from having to bed his wife too often, Mazzeo della Montagna tells his wife that so many days are necessary to recover from making love to... (full context)

After Mazzeo’s Wife and Ruggieri d’Aieroli have been lovers for a while, Mazzeo della Montagna happens to receive a patient who needs an amputation. He plans to perform the surgery... (full context)

...dead. They start to suspect that maybe the previous night’s events were a dream, until Mazzeo della Montagna returns home and demands to know who moved his sleeping potion. Suddenly understanding Ruggieri’s state... (full context)

...Maid to help her save Ruggieri d’Aieroli without revealing the affair. The maid goes to Mazzeo della Montagna and tells him that she’s been having the affair with Ruggieri, to whom she gave... (full context)

...herself up and tells him the same story she gave the doctor. The judge summons Mazzeo della Montagna , the carpenter, the Money-lenders, and Ruggieri d’Aieroli for testimony, and after hearing all the... (full context)