The Decameron Characters

Parmeno is Dioneo’s servant, whom Pampinea appoints as the group’s steward. Like the rest of the servants, his name comes from classical Roman dramas—emphasizing the ahistorical aspects of the brigata’s time in the countryside—and it means “to stand beside,” essentially indicating his servile status.

Stratilia is Fiammetta’s maid, assigned with Chimera to chambermaid duties by Pampinea. Like the rest of the servants, she has a name drawn from classical Roman drama.

Jehannot de Chevigny appears in Neifile’s first tale (I, 2). He is a wealthy Parisian merchant who works hard to convert his friend, Jewish moneylender Abraham, to Christianity.

Guiglielmo Borsiere appears in Lauretta’s first tale (I, 8) as the epitome of a refined and effective courtier. He visits Ermino de’ Grimaldi and corrects his miserly tendencies without causing the nobleman shame or embarrassment.

The character of Stecchi appears in Neifile’s second tale (II, 1), based on a historical Florentine clown who was renowned for his impersonations. Accompanied by Marchese and Martellino, Stecchi visits Treviso and views the body of the saintly Arrigo lying in the cathedral.

The character of Marchese appears in Neifile’s second tale (II, 1) as the companion of Stecchi and Martellino, with whom he visits Treviso and views the body of the saintly Arrigo lying in the cathedral.

In Emilia’s second tale (II, 6), Guasparrino d’Oria is a Genoese merchant-pirate whose share of his ship’s booty includes Guisfredi (Giannotto) and The Outcast as slaves. Initially an agent of their ill fortune, he apologizes for enslaving The Outcast by offering him a daughter in marriage.

In Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7), Beminedab is the Sultan of Babylon in Panfilo’s tale (II, 7). Among his many children is the world’s most beautiful woman, Alatiel, whom he sends to marry his ally, the King of Algarve, in thanks for military assistance.

The King of Algarve appears in Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7) as an ally of Sultan Beminedab. He asks for Alatiel as a reward for his military aid. He’s part of the exchange of an objectified Alatiel, since he marries her after her many years of wandering.

Pericone appears in Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7) as Alatiel’s first lover. When Alatiel is shipwrecked on the Spanish coast, he rescues her and ultimately resorts to trickery to convince her to become his lover. He’s murdered by his brother, Marato.

Pericone’s brother Marato, who appears in Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7), also loves Alatiel. He murders Pericone and kidnaps Alatiel as his own but is in turn murdered by the two Young Masters of their escape ship.

Curiaci appears in Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7), where he is the Prince of Morea’s most trusted servant. He helps the Duke of Athens murder the Prince and is murdered for his trouble. The discovery of his body reveals the murders to the people of Corinth.

In Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7), the Emperor of Constantinople is the Duke of Athens’ father-in-law, the father of Constant, and the grandfather of Manuel. When Constant is kidnapped by the Turks (because he has Alatiel), The Emperor of Constantinople and his allies go to war against them.

Manuel appears in Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7), where he is Constant’s nephew and the grandson of the Emperor of Constantinople. Manuel assumes his uncle’s responsibilities, allowing him to kidnap Alatiel and flee to Turkey.

The Cypriot Merchant appears in Panfilo’s second tale (II, 7) as a friend of Antioco and as Alatiel’s last lover.

The Sultan of Alexandria appears in Filomena’s second tale (II, 9), where Sicurano da Finale (Zinerva) is his trusted advisor. By elevating her and by eventually punishing Ambrogiuolo, he becomes an agent of fortune.

In Pampinea’s third tale (III, 2), Theodelinda is the wife of King Agilulf. When he disguises himself as her husband, she unknowingly has sex with the Groom. Because this happens without her knowledge or consent, she serves as the object over which her husband and servant display their cleverness.

The Florentine Nobleman in Filomena’s third tale (III, 3) appeals to the Florentine Noblewoman as a potential sexual partner of her own class. He is clever enough to understand how she’s using the Florentine Friar as a go-between and gamely plays along.

Filippello Sighinolfo is Catella’s beloved husband in Fiammetta’s third story (III, 6).

The Bolognese Monk appears in Lauretta’s third tale (III, 8), where his recent arrival to the monastery means that he can help the Womanizing Abbot by taking the role of Purgatorial jailor for Ferondo, since no one knows him.

Neerbal appears in Dioneo’s third tale (III, 10). He is a dissolute young man who marries Alibech to claim her inheritance.

The Honest Man of Pampinea’s fourth tale (IV, 2) gives Friar Alberto shelter when he’s running from Lisetta’s brothers-in-law. But he also exemplifies Venetian duplicity by turning on his guest, extorting protection money from him and turning him over to local justice anyway.

The King of Tunis appears in Elissa’s fourth tale (IV, 4), where he is an ally of King William the Second. When he arranges for his daughter, the Tunisian Princess, to marry, he seeks William’s assurance that Gerbino won’t interfere.

In Filomena’s fourth tale (IV, 5), Lorenzo is the unlucky lover of Lisabetta, who is murdered by Lisabetta’s Brothers when they discover the affair.

In Panfilo’s fourth tale (IV, 6), Gabriotto is Andreuola’s poor but worthy secret husband. He dies of natural causes in his wife’s arms, as one of Day IV’s unlucky lovers, and receives a noble burial from his generous father-in-law, Negro de Pontecarraro.

In Emilia’s fourth tale (IV, 7), Ligina is Simona’s friend and Stramba’s lover, who is in the garden when Pasquino dies.

Pasimondas appears in Panfilo’s fifth tale (V, 1) as Iphigenia’s fiancée and Ormisdas’s brother. Cimon murders Pasimondas so that he can claim Iphigenia as his own bride.

In Panfilo’s fifth tale (V, 1), Ormisdas is Pasimondas’s brother. He is betrothed to Cassandra and is killed by Lysimachus.

In Emilia’s fifth tale (V, 2), the Saracen Lady shows kindness to the castaway Gostanza. She demonstrates that nobility of spirit and kindness can reside in non-Christians (“Saracen” is a medieval designation for “Muslim”), and it’s by her aid that Gostanza is reunited with Martuccio Gomito.

In Emilia’s fifth tale (V, 2), Mulay Abd Allah is the Muslim king of Tunis who follows Martuccio Gomito’s military advice and wins his war against Granada. He subsequently elevates Martuccio’s fortunes by raising him to a powerful position in the kingdom and giving him great wealth.

In Elissa’s fifth tale (V, 3), Liello di Campo Fiore is a Roman nobleman who is on good terms with Pietro’s and Agnolella’s families. They escape to his castle and are the beneficiaries of his generosity via Liello’s Wife.

In Elissa’s fifth tale (V, 3), Liello’s wife recognizes Agnolella’s noble character, despite her lower status, and arranges her marriage to Pietro, thus ensuring that they achieve their happy ending.

In Filostrato’s fifth tale (V, 4), Giacomina is Lizio da Valbona’s wife and Caterina’s doting mother.

Giannole di Severino is one of Agnesa’s admirers in Neifile’s fifth tale (V, 5), although it later turns out that he is her biological brother. He cultivates Crivello as his go-between when he attempts to kidnap Agnesa from her home.

Guiglielmino da Medicina appears in Neifile’s fifth tale (V, 5) as a onetime companion of Guidotto da Cremona and an important witness in identifying the long-lost Agnesa.

Bernabuccio appears in Neifile’s fifth tale (V, 5). He is Agnesa’s father, who thought that she perished in a fire during the period of civil unrest when she was a child.

Marin Bòlgaro appears in Pampinea’s fifth tale (V, 6), as the father of Restituta. He is based on a 14th-century courtier whom Giovanni Bocaccio personally knew and wrote a biography of.

Ruggieri de Loria appears as the very wise and well-connected admiral of King Frederick’s royal fleet in Pampinea’s fifth tale (V, 6). He recognizes Restituta and Gianni and intervenes on their behalf with King Frederick, securing their release.

Amerigo’s Wife appears, along with her husband, Amerigo Abate, and her daughter, Violante, in Lauretta’s fifth tale (V, 7). She tries to help her daughter conceal her pregnancy, and she begs, unsuccessfully, for mercy on the lovers in the face of Amerigo’s wrath.

In Lauretta’s fifth tale (V, 7), Messer Currado is the viceroy who hands down Teodoro’s sentence for having slept with Violante.

Phineas, Teodoro’s father, appears in Lauretta’s fifth tale (V, 7), where his fortuitous recognition of his son’s strawberry birthmark saves him from execution and reveals his noble identity.

Paolo Traversari appears in Filomena’s fifth tale (V, 8), as the father of Nastago degli Onesti’s love interest, Paolo’s Daughter.

Geri Spina appears in Pampinea’s sixth tale (VI, 2). Based on a historical Florentine merchant and near contemporary of Giovanni Boccaccio, Geri Spina serves as the foil against which Cisti the Baker can demonstrate his nobility of spirit despite his lowly class.

Chichibio is a Venetian cook employed by Currado Gianfigliazzi in Neifile’s sixth tale (VI, 4). After his girlfriend Brunetta convinces him to steal part of Currado’s dinner feast, fortune comes to Chichibio’s aid and gives him a retort that disarms his master’s anger with laughter.

Brunetta appears as Chichibio’s girlfriend in Neifile’s sixth tale (VI, 4). She’s a parody of female shrewishness when she threatens and cajoles Chichibio into giving her a cut of Currado Gianfigliazzi’s juicy crane.

Forese da Rabatta was a famous lawyer and political figure in late 14th-century Florence and was a contemporary of Giovanni Boccaccio. In Panfilo’s sixth tale (VI, 5), his proverbial ugliness contrasts with his great knowledge and his quick-witted conversation with painter Giotto.

Giotto was the most important Italian painter of the fourteenth century. A Florentine and near contemporary of Giovanni Boccaccio, Giotto receives high praise from Panfilo (VI, 5) for his artistic achievements, humble nature, and great wit—despite his unattractive physical appearance.

Panfilo references the Baronci in describing Forese da Rabatta’s ugliness (VI, 5), and they appear again in Fiammetta’s sixth tale (VI, 6), where their legendary bad looks underwrite Michele Scalza’s witty argument with his friends about nobility.

In Fiammetta’s sixth tale (VI, 6), Michele Scalza is a Florentine gentleman who bets Neri Mannini that he can prove that the Baronci are the noblest family in Florence, because they are the ugliest and therefore the oldest.

In Fiammetta’s sixth tale (VI, 6), Neri Mannini is a friend of Michele Scalza who loses a bet to his friend when he can’t refute Michele’s claims that the Baroncis’ ugliness proves that they are the oldest and thus noblest family in Florence—and the whole world.

In Fiammetta’s sixth tale (VI, 6), Piero di Fiorentino is hosting the dinner at which Michele Scalza and Neri Mannini make their bet and he judges their contest.

Lazzarino de’ Guazzagliotri appears in Filostrato’s sixth tale (VI, 7) as the lover of Madonna Filippa and the sworn enemy of her husband, Rinaldo de’ Pugliesi.

In Emilia’s sixth tale (VI, 8), Fresco is a gentleman who wittily chastises the vanity and petulance of his niece Cesca.

In Dioneo’s sixth tale (VI, 10), Giovanni del Bragoniera is a young man who (along with Biagio Pizzini) steals one of Friar Cipolla’s fake relics and replaces it with some coal, thereby setting up the circumstances under which Cipolla demonstrates his quick wit and rhetorical brilliance.

In Dioneo’s sixth tale (VI, 10), Biagio Pizzini is a young man who (along with Giovanni del Bragoniera) steals one of Friar Cipolla’s fake relics and replaces it with some coal, thereby setting up the circumstances under which Cipolla demonstrates his quick wit and rhetorical brilliance.

In Emilia’s seventh tale (VII, 1), Federigo di Neri Pegolotti is Monna Tessa’s handsome young lover; his nighttime visit necessitates the trick she plays on her husband.

In Elissa’s seventh tale (VII, 3), Madonna Agnesa becomes Friar Rinaldo’s lover, even though he is the godfather of her child with Madonna Agnesa’s Husband (their relationship qualifies as incest by medieval standards). When she’s nearly caught with him, her trick manipulates her husband’s love for their child.

In Elissa’s seventh tale (VII, 3), Madonna Agnesa’s Husband becomes the victim of Madonna Agnesa’s adulterous trick when he surprises her at home with her lover, their neighbor Friar Rinaldo.

In Fiammetta’s seventh tale (VII, 5), Filippo is the neighbor of the Jealous Merchant and Jealous Merchant’s Wife. When the wife finds a way to secretly communicate with him and trick her husband into sitting by the door all night, he climbs over the roof and becomes her lover.

In Pampinea’s seventh tale (VII, 6), Isabella’s Husband unwittingly helps Isabella dispose of her unwanted lover, Lambertuccio, all the while remaining unaware of that affair and of her dalliance with Leonetto, thanks to her quick wit and ability to trick her husband.

In Neifile’s seventh tale (VII, 8), Ruberto is Sismonda’s lover.

In Neifile’s seventh tale (VII, 8), Sismonda’s Mother provides an unflattering characterization of men like Sismonda’s husband Arriguccio Berlinghieri who have the wealth, but not the class and breeding, to be members of the nobility.

In Panfilo’s seventh tale (VII, 9), Pyrrhus is a favorite servant of Nicostratos and Lydia because of his good looks and skill. Afraid that an affair with his mistress is dangerous, he sets Lydia difficult tasks to prove her love, necessitating the tricks she plays on her husband.

Lusca (whose name means “squint-eyed”) appears in Panfilo’s seventh tale (VII, 9) as Lydia’s maid and go-between in her affair with Pyrrhus.

In Dioneo’s seventh tale (VII, 10), Ambruogio Anselmini is the husband of Mita.

In Dioneo’s seventh tale (VII, 10), Mita is the wife of Ambruogio Anselmini, who eventually takes their child’s godfather, Tingoccio Mini, as her lover.

In Neifile’s eighth tale (VIII, 1), Gulfardo is a former German mercenary living in Milan. He loves Ambruogia, who asks for payment like a common prostitute. Gulfardo plays a trick on her when he borrows the money from her husband Guasparruolo Cagastraccio and “pays” it back to her.

Guasparruolo Cagastraccio is a wealthy merchant and moneylender and the cuckolded husband of Ambruogia in Neifile’s eighth tale (VIII, 1).

Cuitazza is Monna Piccarda’s ugly and old maid in Emilia’s eighth tale (VIII, 4). She demonstrates how various classes of female sexuality were valued: because she’s just a servant, her virtue is easily sold for a smock and to protect the virtue and honor of the aristocratic Piccarda.

Ribi is a friend and fellow trickster of Maso del Saggio and Matteuzzo in Filostrato’s eighth tale (VIII, 5), where he helps his friend expose judge Niccola da San Lepidio by pulling down his pants in court.

Matteuzzo is a friend and fellow trickster of Maso del Saggio and Ribi in Filostrato’s eighth tale (VIII, 5), where he helps his friend expose judge Niccola da San Lepidio by pulling down his pants in court.

Spinelloccio Tavena appears in Fiammetta’s eighth tale (VIII, 8) as a wealthy young Sienese man who is best friends with Zeppa di Mino and is having an affair with Zeppa’s Wife.

In Fiammetta’s eighth tale (VIII, 8), Zeppa’s Wife is married to Zeppa di Mino and having an affair with his friend, Spinelloccio Tavena. When Zeppa catches her, she confesses and helps him with his revenge scheme.

In Fiammetta’s eighth tale (VIII, 8), Spinelloccio’s Wife is married to Spinelloccio Tavena. She is forced into having sex with Zeppa di Mino in revenge for the affair of her husband and Zeppa’s Wife.

In Lauretta’s eighth tale (VIII, 9), Simone’s Wife is married to Simone da Villa.

Pietro dello Canigiano was a fellow Florentine and contemporary of Giovanni Boccaccio, who appears in Dioneo’s eighth tale (VIII, 10) as a wise counselor to the young and foolish Salabaetto.

In Filomena’s ninth tale (IX, 1), Rinuccio Palermini is a Florentine expatriate living in political exile in Pistoria—invoking the Florentine political upheavals of Giovanni Boccaccio’s lifetime. Rinuccio loves Francesca de’ Lazzari but loses his chance to woo her when he fails her impossible mission.

In Filomena’s ninth tale (IX, 1), Alessandro Chiarmontesi is a Florentine expatriate living in political exile in Pistoria—invoking the political upheavals in Florence during Giovanni Boccaccio’s lifetime. Alessandro loves Francesca de’ Lazzari but loses his chance to woo her when he fails her impossible mission.

Nello appears in Filostrato’s ninth tale (IX, 3) and Fiammetta’s ninth tale (IX, 5), as a friend and co-conspirator of Bruno and Buffalmacco and the relative of Calandrino’s wife, Tessa.

In Panfilo’s ninth tale (IX, 6), the Host is a poor man who provides food and drink to travelers for his livelihood. He lives with the Host’s Wife and their two children, an infant and the teenaged Miss Niccolosa. One of his frequent guests is Pinuccio.

In Panfilo’s ninth tale (IX, 6), Miss Niccolosa is the teenaged daughter of the Host and the Host’s Wife. She and Pinuccio fall in love, and his desire to sleep with her instigates the bed-switching plot of the tale.

In Panfilo’s ninth tale (IX, 6), Pinuccio is a young Florentine gentleman who frequently enjoys the Host’s hospitality on the road and thus falls in love with Miss Niccolosa. He enlists the help of his friend, Adriano, to insinuate himself into Miss Niccolosa’s bed.

In Panfilo’s ninth tale (IX, 6), Adriano is Pinuccio’s friend. He joins the plot to bed Miss Niccolosa, and when the Host’s Wife accidentally climbs into his bed, he gives her a good time.

In Pampinea’s ninth tale (IX, 7), Talano d’Imolese is the long-suffering husband of the shrewish Margarita. He represents a kind husband despite his wife’s bad character, and his grace highlights her haughty and uppity behavior.

In Pampinea’s ninth tale (IX, 7), Margarita is a misogynistic caricature of an uppity, argumentative wife. Her disagreeable and self-willed behavior towards her husband, Talano d’Imolese, is punished by a wolf attack, demonstrating the misogynistic idea that it’s dangerous for a woman to contradict her husband.

In Lauretta’s ninth tale (IX, 8), Ciacco is a professional mooch. His name, based on a character made famous by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, indicates that he’s a glutton. When his professional rival, Biondello, tricks him one day, he gets revenge by playing a trick on Biondello.

In Lauretta’s ninth tale (IX, 8), Biondello is a professional mooch, like his rival Ciacco. In addition to his taste for fine food and wine, he’s a dandy who is always impeccably dressed and groomed, and it’s this image that Ciacco’s revenge trick destroys.

Vieri de’ Cerchi appears in Lauretta’s ninth tale (IX, 8) as one of the wealthy Florentines who keep Biondello and Ciacco living in fine style. The character is based on a powerful man who was exiled from Florence shortly before Giovanni Boccaccio’s lifetime.

Filippo Argenti, based on an ostentatiously wealthy historical Florentine nobleman, appears in Lauretta’s ninth tale (IX, 8). In The Decameron, he has a nasty temper and is unwittingly recruited into Ciacco’s trick on Biondello.

In Dioneo’s ninth tale (IX, 10), Neighbor Pietro is a poor, small-time trader who is married to Gemmata and friends with Father Gianni. Employing a fabliaux trick, Father Gianni cuckolds Pietro to his face.

In Neifile’s tenth tale (X, 1), King Alphonso of Spain accepts Ruggieri de’ Figiovanni as his knight. He claims that fortune’s stinginess is the cause of Ruggieri’s frustration, then demonstrates his own royal generosity by giving the knight a massive fortune.

In Lauretta’s tenth tale (X, 4), Madonna Catalina is Niccoluccio Caccianimico’s wife and the object of Gentile de’ Carisendi’s affections. She becomes the object by which he demonstrates his extreme generosity when he returns her to her husband after rescuing her from death.

In Lauretta’s tenth tale (X, 4), Niccoluccio Caccianimico is the husband of Madonna Catalina and the recipient of Gentile de’ Carisendi’s generosity.

Madonna Dianora’s rash promise is at the center of Elissa’s tenth tale (X, 5). She is married to Gilberto and admired by Ansaldo Gradense, and she becomes the vehicle by which her husband and admirer can demonstrate their generosity.

In Elissa’s tenth tale (X, 5), Gilberto lives with his wife, Madonna Dianora. He shows his generosity by his willingness to let her have sex with Ansaldo Gradense to fulfill her rash promise. He is the recipient of Ansaldo’s generosity when he frees Dianora from her promise.

The Magician of Elissa’s tenth tale (X, 5), makes a magical garden for Ansaldo Gradense—for a high price. When Ansaldo generously releases Dianora from her rash promise, the Magician is in turn inspired to generously waive his fee.

Based on a historical person, in Fiammetta’s tenth tale (X, 6), Guy de Montfort is a retainer and companion of King Charles who visits Neri degli Uberti’s garden with him. His counsel inspires King Charles to demonstrate self-control and generosity rather than selfishness.

Ginevra and her twin sister Isotta are the daughters of Neri degli Uberti in Fiammetta’s tenth tale (X, 6). She charms the king, and he generously provides her a fitting dowry and a suitable husband.

Isotta and her twin sister Ginevra are the daughters of Neri degli Uberti in Fiammetta’s tenth tale (X, 6). She charms the king, and he generously provides her a fitting dowry and a suitable husband.

In Pampinea’s tenth tale (X, 7), Bernardo Puccini is a wealthy Florentine apothecary living in Palermo with his wife and daughter, Lisa.

Based on the 13th-century king of Sicily, in Pampinea’s tenth tale (X, 6), King Peter of Aragon is the object of Lisa’s unrequited love. He demonstrates nobility of character in styling himself as her knight and royal generosity in giving her a dowry and a noble husband.

Based on a troubadour who was a contemporary of Giovanni Boccaccio, in Pampinea’s tenth tale (X, 7), Minuccio d’Arezzo is a renowned minstrel who sings Lisa’s lovelorn message to King Peter.

In Filomena’s tenth tale (X, 8), Chremes is an old friend of Titus Quintus Fulvius’s father and is Gisippus’s father. He hosts Titus when he comes to Athens to study.

In Filomena’s tenth tale (X, 8), Marcus Varro is the Roman praetor to whom Gisippus falsely confesses murder.

In Filomena’s tenth tale (X, 8), Fulvia is Titus Quintus Fulvius’s sister, whom he gives to his best friend, Gisippus, as a wife, further cementing their friendship.

In Panfilo’s tenth tale (X, 9), The Abbot of San Pietro is Torello’s uncle.

In Dioneo’s tenth tale (X, 10), Giannùcole is Griselda’s father.

In Dioneo’s sixth tale (VI, 10), Nuta is the unattractive kitchen maid who has Guccio Imbratta’s attention while Giovanni del Bragoniera and Biagio Pizzini steal Friar Cipolla’s false relics.

In Panfilo’s eighth tale (VIII, 2), Bentivegna del Mazzo is Monna Belcolore’s husband. His name, which means “may you have joy of the rod” is a phallic pun and adds to the overall colorful and humorous feeling of the tale.