Nastagio degli Onesti Character Analysis in The Decameron

In Filomena’s fifth tale (V, 8), Nastagio degli Onesti is a young nobleman who loves Paolo’s Daughter despite her haughty disdain. When he sees a vision detailing the punishment of another cruel lady, he shows it to Paolo’s daughter, convincing her to look more kindly on him and accept his offer of marriage. He is one of Day V’s happy lovers and is meant as an example of a steadfast lover, although his strategy for convincing his lady is based on making her fearful.

Nastagio degli Onesti Character Timeline in The Decameron

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

...their cruelty be subject to divine punishment. To illustrate this, she tells the story of Nastagio degli Onesti , an incredibly wealthy young gentleman from Ravenna. He falls in love with the daughter... (full context)

One May morning, Nastagio degli Onesti wanders the woods, lost in thought about Paolo’s Daughter’s cruelty. Suddenly, he hears screams; soon... (full context)

...degli Anastagi, a fellow man from Ravenna who fell in love with his lady when Nastagio degli Onesti was just a child. The pride and cruelty of Guido’s lady ultimately led him to... (full context)

This account horrifies Nastagio degli Onesti , as does watching Guido degli Anastagi butcher the woman. But after a few minutes,... (full context)

...of fear, she quickly “convert[s] her enmity into love,” and that same day she sends Nastagio degli Onesti a message telling him that she’s “ready to do anything he desire[s].” He offers to... (full context)