The Decameron

The Decameron

by

Giovanni Boccaccio

Liscia Character Analysis

Liscia is Filomena’s maid, and Pampinea assigns her to kitchen duty with Misia, bringing Parmeno’s plans for meals to fruition. At the beginning of Day VI, she fights with Tindaro, arguing that his friend Sirisco’s wife was certainly not a virgin on her wedding night. She performs the gender- and class-based stereotype of the talkative, somewhat abusive, and crude lower-class woman. Moreover, her insistence that women aren’t foolish enough, as a rule, to preserve their virginity for marriage or to be chaste afterwards provides the impetus for the tales on Day VII.
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Liscia Character Timeline in The Decameron

The timeline below shows where the character Liscia appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Day 6: Introduction
Moderation and Excess Theme Icon
...for the day’s stories, a commotion arises in the kitchen. The steward (Parmeno) explains that Liscia and Tindaro are arguing. Elissa commands them to appear and explain themselves. (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
Tindaro is about to speak when Liscia, spoiling for a fight and considering him an “ignorant lout,” interrupts. She tells Elissa that... (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
Elissa can’t silence Liscia during this speech, but when it ends, she asks Dioneo to pronounce a verdict. He... (full context)
Day 6: Conclusion
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
Moderation and Excess Theme Icon
...on a chessboard are worthier than he is, he promises to do his best. Recalling Liscia’s claims about women’s tricks, he proposes that the next day’s tales will focus on the... (full context)