Alessandro Character Analysis in The Decameron

Alessandro appears in Pampinea’s second tale (II, 3). He’s the nephew of Lamberto, Tebaldo, and Agolante, and he takes over their moneylending business in England when his uncles return to Italy. He has solid business sense and good connections, so he earns his family great wealth before fortune interrupts his success in the form of a civil war. On his way home, he travels in the company of the Abbot in White. When he secretly marries the disguised princess, by the grace of fortune, the will of God, and his own good character, he’s elevated from the merchant class to royalty.

Alessandro Character Timeline in The Decameron

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

The brothers return to Florence but send their nephew Alessandro to England to continue running the moneylending business. In Florence, they resume their extravagant lives,... (full context)

Several years into the war, Alessandro decides to go home. Not far into his journey, he meets with a large group... (full context)

As they travel, the Abbot in White and Alessandro become friendly. The Abbot finds Alessandro to be the most handsome and agreeable person he’s... (full context)

After a few days, they arrive at a small town. Alessandro finds everyone a room at the local inns, but the only space available to him... (full context)

Realizing that his beloved friend is a woman, Alessandro quickly embraces her. The Abbot in White stops him because she’s a virgin. She feels... (full context)

...a setup for falling into adultery. In any case, she found her ideal husband in Alessandro (even if he isn’t royalty), and she asks the Pope to officially bless the marriage... (full context)

Alessandro is delighted to discover that the Abbot in White is a princess, but the two... (full context)

Alessandro and the former Abbot in White leave Rome and return to Florence, where the lady... (full context)

...greater distance for fortune to raise someone than from poverty to kingship, as it did Alessandro. Although her tale won’t relate such a change, its protagonist will be subject to even... (full context)