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.