Page 118 - SUMMARIES OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO’S DECAMEON : A Visionary Journey In 100 Stories And 100 Etchings By Petru Russu

Gianni di Procida

Gianni di Procida, a devoted and noble young man from the islet of Procida,
is deeply enamored with Restituta, a radiant and cheerful maiden from the
neighboring island of Ischia.

Tragedy strikes when Restituta, gathering shells alone at the shore, is abducted by
Sicilian sailors who are struck by her beauty. Though she resists, they whisk her
away to Calabria. Disagreements among the captors and fear of consequences
prompt them to offer her as a gift to King Frederic of Sicily, who is known to cherish

such fair treasures. The King, captivated, lodges her in a serene garden villa called
Cuba while she recovers from illness.

News of Restituta’s disappearance devastates Ischia, and Gianni is consumed by

anguish. Guided only by whispers of the sailors’ route, he embarks on a relentless
search across the Calabrian coast. He eventually traces her path to Palermo and the
royal villa. Hope flickers when Gianni spots Restituta at a window and she sees him
as well, a silent cry of joy passes between them.

Determined to reunite, Gianni memorizes the villa’s layout and, under cover of
night, scales the garden wall and reaches her window using a makeshift pole. Their
reunion is clandestine and fervent, yet destined to be discovered. When their secret

rendezvous comes to light, both lovers are condemned to burn at the stake, a
punishment fit for those who defy royal decree and social order.

But fate is kind. As they are led to execution, the influential knight Ruggieri dell’Oria
GIANNI DI PROCIDA’S
recognizes Gianni as his own kinsman, long separated by circumstance. With swift
TALE FLOWS THROUGH A
KALEIDOSCOPIC VORTEX OF intervention and royal influence, Ruggieri halts the execution, revealing Gianni’s
TRIALS AND TRANSCENDENCE, noble heritage. The revelation transforms the lovers’ fate, elevating their union from
AN ABSTRACT OPERA OF
scandal to celebrated matrimony. Thus, the tale ends not in fire, but in festivity,
BETRAYAL, BRINKMANSHIP,
AND SALVATION. Gianni and Restituta are wed, their love sanctified by bloodline and destiny.
DECAMERON 116 117