Page 112 - THE DECAMERON: 100 Days on 100 Etchings by Petru Rusu
P. 112
“Gianni di Procida“
The setting here is Ischia, a small island in the Bay of bound up, naked, and burnt at the stake in the town square
Naples. On this island lives the beautiful Restituta, who’s for this unmentionable sin. They’re brought out in their
adored by a man called Gianni from the neighboring island birthday suits and everyone comes down to the square to
of Procida. Everything goes well for them at first. But one check it out. This includes the Admiral of the Royal Fleet,
day, Restituta is kidnapped by Sicilian pirates. Since they who happens to know Gianni. Gianni tells him the whole
can’t agree which one of them should get the girl, they tale and requests that he be turned to face his lover so
decide to give her to King Frederick of Sicily as a gift. that they can stare into each other’s eyes when they are
Women as gifts: what an interesting concept. King Fred is burnt to death. Now that’s what we call romantic. The
quite pleased, but he’s not feeling up to despoiling a young Admiral visits the King and informs him that the condemned
virgin at the moment. So he puts her up at a posh villa until young people belong to families that have been his biggest
he’s ready. Meanwhile, Gianni has figured out the location political supporters. The King freaks out and immediately
of his girl and sets out to recover her. He finds Restituta in orders their release. He plies them with gifts, gives them a
her villa and she shows him a way in. They spend the night sumptuous wedding and sends them home to live happily
together. But Gianni forgets to set his alarm clock, so he ever after. Extra credit assignment: check out recent
and Restituta are discovered together in bed by the newly Presidential pardons to see if any of them are politically
recovered King Fred. The King orders that the two lovers be motivated.
“Gianni di Procida” retrieved from publicly source: shmoop
DECAMERON 112 <https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/decameron/summary/fifth-day-sixth-story>
