The Decameron

The Decameron

by

Giovanni Boccaccio

In Filostrato’s sixth tale (VI, 7), Madonna Filippa is the wife of Rinaldo de’ Pugliesi and the lover of her husband’s sworn enemy, Lazzarino de’ Guazzagliotri. When Rinaldo catches her with Lazzarino, he has her indicted for adultery, which carries a punishment of death. But, because love makes her brave, Madonna Filippa not only successfully defends herself against the charge of adultery but gets the statutes changed. She thus demonstrates the power of a witty retort—especially coming from a woman.
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Madonna Filippa Character Timeline in The Decameron

The timeline below shows where the character Madonna Filippa appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Day 6: Seventh Tale
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
...or not—will be burned at the stake. When Rinaldo de’ Pugliesi discovers his wife Madonna Filippa in the arms of Lazzarino de’ Guazzagliotri, he invokes this statute. Love makes Madonna Filippa... (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
Intelligence Theme Icon
The magistrate is impressed with Madonna Filippa’s beauty, breeding, and fortitude. He hopes she won’t confess so he can avoid sentencing her... (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
Intelligence Theme Icon
Class and Character Theme Icon
If the court insists on prosecuting her by this unfair law, Madonna Filippa wants it to ask her husband if she ever denied him when he asked for... (full context)
Day 8: First Tale
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
...seeking material gain—deserve leniency for their sexual indiscretions, as illustrated in Filostrato’s tale of Madonna Filippa. (full context)