The Decameron
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Prologue Day 1: Introduction Day 1: First Tale  Day 1: Second Tale Day 1: Third Tale Day 1: Fourth Tale Day 1: Fifth Tale Day 1: Sixth Tale Day 1: Seventh Tale Day 1: Eighth Tale Day 1: Ninth Tale Day 1: Tenth Tale Day 1: Conclusion Day 2: Introduction Day 2: First Tale Day 2: Second Tale Day 2: Third Tale Day 2: Fourth Tale Day 2: Fifth Tale Day 2: Sixth Tale Day 2: Seventh Tale Day 2: Eighth Tale Day 2: Ninth Tale Day 2: Tenth Tale Day 2: Conclusion Day 3: Introduction Day 3: First Tale Day 3: Second Tale Day 3: Third Tale Day 3: Fourth Tale Day 3: Fifth Tale Day 3: Sixth Tale Day 3: Seventh Tale Day 3: Eighth Tale Day 3: Ninth Tale Day 3: Tenth Tale Day 3: Conclusion Day 4: Introduction Day 4: First Tale Day 4: Second Tale Day 4: Third Tale Day 4: Fourth Tale Day 4: Fifth Tale Day 4: Sixth Tale Day 4: Seventh Tale Day 4: Eighth Tale Day 4: Ninth Tale Day 4: Tenth Tale Day 4: Conclusion Day 5: Intro Day 5: First Tale Day 5: Second Tale Day 5: Third Tale Day 5: Fourth Tale Day 5: Fifth Tale Day 5: Sixth Tale Day 5: Seventh Tale Day 5: Eighth Tale Day 5: Ninth Tale Day 5: Tenth Tale Day 5: Conclusion Day 6: Introduction Day 6: First Tale Day 6: Second Tale Day 6: Third Tale Day 6: Fourth Tale Day 6: Fifth Tale Day 6: Sixth Tale Day 6: Seventh Tale Day 6: Eighth Tale Day 6: Ninth Tale Day 6: Tenth Tale Day 6: Conclusion Day 7: Introduction Day 7: First Tale Day 7: Second Tale Day 7: Third Tale Day 7: Fourth Tale Day 7: Fifth Tale Day 7: Sixth Tale Day 7: Seventh Tale Day 7: Eighth Tale Day 7: Ninth Tale Day 7: Tenth Tale Day 7: Conclusion Day 8: Introduction Day 8: First Tale Day 8: Second Tale Day 8: Third Tale Day 8: Fourth Tale Day 8: Fifth Tale Day 8: Sixth Tale Day 8: Seventh Tale Day 8: Eighth Tale Day 8: Ninth Tale Day 8: Tenth Tale Day 8: Conclusion Day 9: Introduction Day 9: First Tale Day 9: Second Tale Day 9: Third Tale Day 9: Fourth Tale Day 9: Fifth Tale Day 9: Sixth Tale Day 9: Seventh Tale Day 9: Eighth Tale Day 9: Ninth Tale Day 9: Tenth Tale Day 9: Conclusion Day 10: Introduction Day 10: First Tale Day 10: Second Tale Day 10: Third Tale Day 10: Fourth Tale Day 10: Fifth Tale Day 10: Sixth Tale Day 10: Seventh Tale Day 10: Eighth Tale Day 10: Ninth Tale Day 10: Tenth Tale Day 10: Conclusion Author’s Epilogue
Themes
All Themes Love and Sex Men and Women Moderation and Excess Intelligence Class and Character Faith vs. Religion
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Boccaccio Pampinea Fiammetta Filomena Emilia Lauretta Neifile Elissa Panfilo Filostrato Dioneo Sirisco Tindaro Misia Liscia Chimera Ciappelletto Holy Friar Abraham Melchizedek Saladin Young Monk Tuscan Abbot The Country Girl Marchioness of Montferrat King Philip II Franciscan Inquisitor Blasphemous Citizen Can Grande della Scalla Bergamino Primas Abbot of Cluny Ermino de’ Grimaldi Gascon Gentlewoman King of Cyprus Master Alberto Malgherida de’ Ghisolieri Arrigo Martellino Sandro Agolanti Rinaldo d’Asti Lady of Guiglielmo Fortress Lamberto Tebaldo Agolante Alessandro Abbot in White Landolfo Rufolo Andreuccio di Pietro Sicilian Woman Butch Belchface Tomb Robbers Arrighetto Capece Beritola Caracciolo (Cavriuola) Guisfredi (Giannotto) The Outcast Currado Malespina Spina Alatiel The Young Masters Prince of Morea Duke of Athens Constant Uzbek Basano Antioco Antigono Walter French Princess Jeannette (Violante) Perrot (Louis) Madame Lamiens Marshal Lamiens Jacques Lamiens Bernabò Lomellin Ambrogiuolo Zinerva (Sicurano da Finale) Ricciardo di Chinzica Bartolomea Paganino de Mare Masetto Young Nuns Abbess Agilulf Groom Florentine Noblewoman Florentine Friar Friar Puccio Monna Isabetta Dom Felice Francesco Vergellesi Francesco’s Wife Zima Ricciardo Minutolo Catella Tedaldo degli Elisei Aldobrandino Palermi Ermellina Palermi Womanizing Abbot Ferondo Ferondo’s Wife Gilette Bertrand Impoverished Noblewoman Alibech Rustico Filippo Balducci Filippo’s Son Tancredi Ghismonda Guiscardo Friar Alberto Lisetta Ninetta Maddalena Bertella Restagnone Folco Ughetto William the Second Gerbino Tunisian Princess Lisabetta Lisabetta’s Brothers Negro de Pontecarraro Andreuola Simona Pasquino Stramba Atticciato Malagevole Guccio Imbratta Girolamo Salvestra Girolamo’s Mother Guillaume de Roussillon Guillaume de Cabestanh Roussillon’s Wife Mazzeo della Montagna Mazzeo’s Wife Ruggieri d’Aieroli Trusted Maid Money-lenders Aristippus Cimon Iphigenia Lysimachus Cassandra Gostanza Martuccio Gomito Carapresa Pietro Boccamazza Agnolella Ancient Man Ancient Woman Lizio da Valbona Caterina Ricciardo de’ Manardi Guidotto da Cremona Giacomino da Pavia Agnesa Minghino di Mingole Restituta Gianni King Frederick Amerigo Abate Teodoro (Pietro) Violante Nastagio degli Onesti Paolo’s Daughter Guido degli Anastagi Coppo di Borghese Domenichi Federigo Giovanna Pietro di Vinciolo Pietro’s Wife Beldam Ercolano Madonna Oretta Cisti Antonio d’Orso Dego della Ratta Nonna de’ Pulci Currado Gianfigliazzi Madonna Filippa Rinaldo de’ Pugliesi Cesca Betto Brunelleschi Guido Cavalcanti Friar Cipolla Gianni Lotteringhi Monna Tessa Peronella’s Husband Peronella Giannello Scrignario Friar Rinaldo Tofano Ghita Jealous Merchant Jealous Merchant’s Wife Isabella Leonetto Lambertuccio Anichino (Lodovico) Beatrice Egano de’ Galluzzi Arriguccio Berlinghieri Monna Sismonda Nicostratos Lydia Tingoccio Mini Meuccio di Tura Madonna Ambruogia Worthy Priest Belcolore Calandrino Bruno Buffalmacco Maso del Saggio Piccarda Provost Niccola da San Lepidio Elena Rinieri Zeppa di Mino Simone da Villa Salabaetto Jancofiore Francesca de’ Lazzari Sister Isabetta Abbess Usimbalda Cecco Angiulieri Cecco Fortarrigo Bachelor Filippo Niccolosa Host’s Wife Corso Donati Melissus Joseph Joseph’s Wife Father Gianni Gemmata Ruggieri de’ Figiovanni Ghino di Tacco Nathan Mithridanes Gentile de’ Carisendi Ansaldo Gradense King Charles Neri degli Uberti Lisa Titus Quintus Fulvius Gisippus Sophronia Torello Adalieta Gualtieri Griselda
Terms
All Terms Anticlerical Satire Antifeminism/Misogyny Bourgeoisie Brigata Crusades Cuckold Dowry Fabliaux Fin’amors Moneylending/Usury
Symbols
All Symbols Gardens Fortune Gifts
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The Decameron

by

Giovanni Boccaccio

The Decameron Symbols

Gardens

Gardens symbolize the possibilities that exist outside of the traditional spaces of society or the constraints of “real life.” The book begins in plague-ravaged Florence, but when the ten members of the brigata (the ten…

read analysis of Gardens

Gardens Symbol Icon

Fortune

Fortune symbolizes the capricious and random changes of life and circumstances. It is based on the medieval conception of “Fortuna,” a goddess or semi-deified force. The idea of fortune’s wheel, drawn from ancient philosophy and…

read analysis of Fortune

Fortune Symbol Icon

Gifts

In The Decameron, physical gifts represent the power dynamics of relationships between people. They symbolize and enact a complex system of relationships and obligations between individuals, primarily serving to demonstrate generosity, recognize a person’s…

read analysis of Gifts

Gifts Symbol Icon
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