The Decameron

The Decameron

by

Giovanni Boccaccio

Torello Character Analysis

Torello appears in Panfilo’s tenth tale (X, 9), as the Italian nobleman who, along with his wife Adalieta, generously entertains Saladin when the Muslim leader is traveling through Europe in disguise. His instinctive recognition of Saladin’s noble character cements their friendship, and when he is later captured by the Saracens (the Muslim forces in the Third Crusade), he is reunited with his friend and becomes the recipient of Saladin’s legendary royal generosity.
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Torello Character Timeline in The Decameron

The timeline below shows where the character Torello appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Day 10: Ninth Tale
Intelligence Theme Icon
Class and Character Theme Icon
...own story, which shows another eminently worthy and generous friendship—the friendship of Saladin and Messer Torello of Strà. Before the Third Crusade begins, Saladin disguises himself as a merchant and takes... (full context)
Class and Character Theme Icon
Torello rushes to his estate, sets tables for a feast in the garden, and is ready... (full context)
Men and Women Theme Icon
Class and Character Theme Icon
Saladin and his men find Torello to be the “most agreeable, civilized, and affable gentleman” they’ve ever met. And although they... (full context)
Class and Character Theme Icon
The next day, Torello invites Saladin to hunt, after which Saladin asks for directions to the comfortable inn in... (full context)
Class and Character Theme Icon
After breakfast, Torello introduces Saladin to his greatest treasures: Adalieta and their two angelically beautiful children. Adalieta gives... (full context)
Love and Sex Theme Icon
Men and Women Theme Icon
As the Crusade begins, Torello, moved but undeterred by Adalieta’s tears and entreaties, prepares to leave. His only request is... (full context)
Class and Character Theme Icon
Torello travels to Acre, where the Crusader army falls prey to a plague. Because so many... (full context)
Class and Character Theme Icon
One day, Saladin notices the way Torello smiles and recognizes his old host. Taking him to the royal wardrobe, he asks Torello... (full context)
Men and Women Theme Icon
Meanwhile, Adalieta believes that Torello has died, because on the day he was captured, another knight named Torello was buried,... (full context)
Class and Character Theme Icon
In one night, Saladin’s magician can send Torello, sleeping peacefully in a bed, back to Pavia. Although he understands Torello’s desire to return... (full context)
Men and Women Theme Icon
Moderation and Excess Theme Icon
Torello and his bed are deposited magically in the church of San Pietro just before matins.... (full context)
Men and Women Theme Icon
Class and Character Theme Icon
After securing the treasure, Torello asks the Abbot of San Pietro to take him to the wedding feast as a... (full context)
Men and Women Theme Icon
...up so quickly she overturns the table, runs across the room pell-mell, flings herself on Torello and clings to him for dear life. Torello, promising to give her as many embraces... (full context)
Day 10: Tenth Tale
Moderation and Excess Theme Icon
Dioneo, noting that Adalieta’s almost-second husband wouldn’t agree with the company’s praise of Torello, prepares to finish the day’s storytelling with a marquis whose actions were remarkably cruel, not... (full context)