Ciappelletto Character Analysis

Cepperello, called Sir Ciappelletto by the French, appears in the first tale of The Decameron, told by Panfilo (I, 1). Based on a near contemporary of Giovanni Boccaccio, in this tale, Cepperello is described as a short little notary from Prato. He’s also possibly the wickedest man that ever lived: he not only lies, cheats, murders, gambles, and sleeps around, but he takes more pride in his sins than most people do in their virtue. He’s also a great liar, able to dupe the Holy Friar into believing that he is such a holy person that he ends up being venerated as a saint.