Boccaccio’s Decameron Day 10
The theme is take whatever subject you like that show those distinguished by deeds or love.
Day 10 Story 1 as told by Neifile
This is about generosity! There was a Messer Ruggieri de Figiovanni who accepted a beautiful mule. He called the mule as stubborn as the king. The king asks him why he likened the mule to him. Sometimes gifts are given when not deserved; and others are not given when deserved. Your mule refused to rest when sahe should have, and she balked when she shouldn’t have.
“ It was your own luck that wouldn’t permit me to reward you,” said the king. Here are 2 chests; one with my crown, scepter, and jewels and the other with clods of earth. Choose and see who has been unappreciative of your merit. Ruggieri chose the one with the clods of earth, but the king gave him the other chest nonetheless. A most generous deed!
Day 10 Story 2 as told by Elisa
This is called a prelate magnanimous to an enemy! Ghino da Tacco was banished from Sienna for robberies. He also inclined others to rebel against the church while Boniface VIII was Pope. The Abbot of Cluny was advised to take baths in Sienna. Ghino’s men surround him—Ghino told him he would cure him without baths.
Ghino tells him to take toast and wine for several days and also holds a banquet for the Abbot. The Abbot says he would feel better if he were out of Ghino’s clutches. “Give me what you will, and stay or go” says Ghino. The Abbot felt benevolent—he just took what he needed, and told everyone that he was cured by an excellent physician. He asks the Pope to take his doctor in his favor. So the Pope gives him the title of Prior of Hodspitalers.
Day 10 Story 3 as told by Filostrata
There was a man named Nathan. He owned land near a road where he put up a grand palace. His fame reached the ears of Mithridanes who was determined to undermine Nathan’s reputation.
“When will I be as honorable as Nathan” asks Mithridanes. He was taken to see Nathan without Nathan knowing who he was. He is told that if he wants to kill Nathan, he will be able to do so on a walking path, The next morning, Nathan sets out on the path knowing he could meet his death. At that point Mithridanes realizes that he is not his enemy but a faithful advisor and friend, and suddenly feels shamed by his actions.
“God opened my eyes—other men have devastated whole cities to extend their realms by murder”. Mithridanes did not.
Day 10 Story 4 as told by Lauretta
A man named Gentile di Carisendi falls in love with Catalina—wife of Nicoluccio Caccianimico who was Governor of Modona. She died and was put in a vault at the church.
“I did not know you in life, but since I loved you I will take one sweet kiss.” says Gentile. He is shocked that when he sees her in the vault, and attempts to kiss her, she is alive. So he takes her to his home where he and his mother minister to her until she revives. Soon after she gives birth to a baby boy.
He soon invites Catalina’s family as well as other friends to dine at his house. He says “ I have heard of a Persian custom whereby when a man wants to show his friends honor, he invites them to his house and shows them the thing he holds most dear.” He explains that Catalina’s family “threw her away” and he revived her and cherished her. But, he also says to Catalina, “So now, I release you from any pledge you have given me—you are free to go to your husband. At that point, Mr. Gentile is a friend of the Caccianimico family for life!
Day 10 Story 5 as told by Emilia
In Friuli there lived a girl named Dionora who was married to Gilberto. Ansaldo was enamored with her. Dionora, weary of the man’s attentions, resolved to get rid of him.
“If he promises to do all I ask, then I’ll place myself at his disposal,” says Dionora so she requests that he create a garden so beautiful that it will be something to behold. With the help of a wizard, he does this, but she did not want to keep her promise. As disappointed as Ansaldo was he forgives her after telling her that she was wrong to agree to something and then change her mind.
The next day she comes to see Ansaldo because her husband felt she needs to keep her word. As touched as Ansaldo was by this gesture, he releases her to her husband.
Day 10 Story 6 as told by Fiammetta
When the Ghibellines were banished from Florence, a man named Neri degli Uberti left the city and bought land in Castellamare. King Charles visited his property wishing to see his lovely garden. At a banquet given for the king, Mr Uberti’s 2 daughters charmed the king so much so that he wished to take them both in marriage.
Mr. Uberti, in doing the right thing, and against his will, gave his daughters up in marriage.
Day 10 Story 7 as told by Pampinea
King Pedro of Aragon holds a festival where a lass named Lisa falls in love with him while watching him in the games. The king knew nothing about this infatuation of a very young girl for him.
Lisa became lovesick, She wanted to hear the singer Minuccio; when he sees her she tells him about her love for the king. Minuccio goes to find a rhymer (poet) to write a poem of the love and then he sets it to music.
He sings it to the king; the king goes to see Lisa, and tells her he will find a wonderful youth for her, and he did! Lisa accepted! A happy ending!
Day 10 Story 8 as told by Filomena
In the days when Octavius Ceasar was not yet Augustus, but governed the Roman Empire in the Triumvirate, there was a Patrician called Publius Quintius Fulvus who because his son was extremely intelligent. Sent him to Athens to live with a family and study philosophy. He shared an apartment with Gisippus who was about to marry Sophronia.
Gisippus roommate was a man named Titus; Titus sees Sophronia a falls in love with her—knows it’s wrong but LOVE is a strong emotion. Titus confesses and Gisippus is kind---tells him he may have Sophronia and that no other man would give up a woman that is his, for a friend. “All right, says Titus, “ but I owe you my life.”
To avoid scandal, I will wed her , and later you can lie with her as your wife.” So in the bridal bed it is Titus not Gisippus.
Titus now has to go back to Rome. The wife knows what happened and tells her kin. Everyone is angry, but Titus. In explaining this to the relatives and to Sphronia, he tells them this relationship was ordained by the Gods. And to undo it is to declare human wisdom greater than God’s wisdom.
First, Gisippus acted upon friendship and acted with greater wisdom than you because the bonds of friendship. The bonds of friendship are more binding than those of blood or kin since we CHOOSE our friends. Gissppus was wiser in deed because he gave his betrothed to a man who truly loved her—not himself who hardly knew her, Also, she was given in marriage in honor—fate brings matters to their predestined course; sometimes by devious ways. And if I had come to you in openness, you would have denied her to me with especially not having wanted her to go to Rome.
Away with your prejudice; Forget your rancor!
People disliked Gisippus as a result of what he did for Titus; he was exiled and became a beggar on the streets. Eventually he went to Rome; convicted of murdering a man he did not murder; was seen by Titus who takes him to his own home, and eventually becomes a Roman!
Day 10 Story 9 as told by Dioneo
The Chrisitians go on crusade to the Holy Land. The Sultan of Babylon was Saladin. He goes under disguise as a merchant to tour Christian lands. In Lombardy he meets a Torello d’ Istria who invites Saladin to his home to sleep for the night and takes him to another house the following day. Torello’s wife gives him a robe lined with silk. The following day there is a fresh horse. At this generosity, Saladin was overcome with gratitude.
Soon it is Torello’s turn to go on pilgrimage. He tells his wife if he doesn’t return in 3 years, she is free to remarry. At some point, Torello is taken prisoner in Alexandria. He trained as a falconer, and meets up with Saladin, who takes him as his falconer. Neither recognized the other.
Torello asks a merchant to deliver a letter to his wife; Saladin asks Torello where he comes from and then recognizes him. Now it’s Saladin’s turn to do something good.
In the meantime a man named Torello, part of Saladin’s army, died. The word spread, and his wife thought it to be him, and therefore was ready to remarry. He worries that he cannot make it back to Lombardy before the wedding occurs to tell her he is still alive, so Saladin helps him. Torello makes it; and he is reunited with his wife.
Day 10 Story 10
Marquis Gualtieri liked hawking and hunting—his subjects thought he should marry. “ I will be the chooser of my wife” he says.
He liked a country girl; outfitted her with clothes, and married her. She was kind, obedient and gracious. She birthed a baby girl. Then he “tested” her. He told her she was lowly born, and birthed a daughter.
“My Lord, do with me what you deem becoming your heart”, she says to him. At this the king knew she was not puffed up with pride. He sends the daughter to one of his relatives to raise while he tells his wife she has been killed. Then his wife has a baby boy. He also takes the boy away from her.
Lastly, he tells her he must take another wife—and sends his wife back to her father. The Marquis asks her to decorate the palace for his new wife, before she returns to her family home. Meanwhile his daughter is 12 and his son is 6.
The Marquis asks her what she thinks of his new wife to be, and she tells him not to torment her. She is tenderly raised without hardships.
The Marquis tells her that now it is time that her patience is rewarded. “All that I have done was to teach you to be a wife, and others to know how to choose one”.