Simone da Villa Character Analysis in The Decameron

In Lauretta’s eighth tale (VIII, 9), Simone da Villa is the victim of one of Bruno and Buffalmacco’s tricks. He reappears in Filostrato’s ninth tale (IX, 3), where he helps Bruno, Buffalmacco, and Nello convince Calandrino that he’s pregnant. Simone is a pretentious doctor who has little intelligence or insight and very low taste in women. He cultivates Bruno’s friendship to gain access to a fictional secret society, treating them to fine meals and giving them gifts. Even after they trick him, he continues to entertain them so they won’t share the story of his humiliation around town.

Simone da Villa Character Timeline in The Decameron

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

...return tit for tat or who prank gullible people shouldn’t be judged too harshly. Master Simone da Villa is one of those gullible people. After studying medicine at Bologna, he moves to Florence... (full context)

Noting that Bruno and Buffalmacco are always happy and carefree, despite being poor painters, Simone da Villa concludes that they must have a secret source of money. He cultivates Bruno’s friendship, and... (full context)

Simone da Villa begs to know what “going the course” means. Bruno is reluctant to share the secret... (full context)

Although Simone da Villa ’s medical wisdom is great (or great enough to treat a baby’s thrush, at least)... (full context)

Every so often, Bruno describes a society meeting, stringing Simone da Villa along with tidbits about the women he calls for. When Simone feels that Bruno is... (full context)

Bruno would comply with Simone da Villa ’s request—both because he loves him “as a brother” and because his words are “seasoned... (full context)

When Simone da Villa asks Buffalmacco for admittance into the secret society, he offers so many “pearls of wisdom”... (full context)

Buffalmacco also promises Simone da Villa the “Countess of Cesspool” as his mistress; she will help him forget his serving wench.... (full context)

Within a few days, Bruno and Buffalmacco explain to Simone da Villa how he will be inducted. That night, after dark, he must put on his best... (full context)

As darkness falls, Simone da Villa gives his wife an excuse for going out. Tall, sturdy Buffalmacco disguises himself as the... (full context)

Buffalmacco carries Simone da Villa through the city and along ditches where “farmers…pour the offerings of the Countess of Cesspool”... (full context)

The next morning, Bruno and Buffalmacco paint bruises on their chests and visit Simone da Villa , who still reeks. They complain that they were mercilessly beaten after their nominated member... (full context)

...he see a physician. Calandrino takes to his bed and sends a urine sample to Simone da Villa . Bruno offers to fetch the doctor himself—which allows him to explain the prank to... (full context)

Simone da Villa arrives at Calandrino’s bedside, takes his pulse, and declares that he is pregnant. Howling with... (full context)

Simone da Villa tells Calandrino that the pregnancy can be cured, although the treatment is pricy. Terrified at... (full context)

Calandrino takes the medicine as directed, and after three days, Simone da Villa declares him restored. Calandrino tells everyone about his miraculously fast and painless miscarriage-inducing treatment; Bruno,... (full context)