Page 130 - SUMMARIES OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO’S DECAMEON : A Visionary Journey In 100 Stories And 100 Etchings By Petru Russu

Madonna Oretta

This lighthearted and graceful novella offers a comedic reflection on the art of
storytelling, illustrating the importance of wit, timing, and elegance in speech,
especially among refined company.

The story takes place on a pleasant countryside journey, where Madonna
Oretta, an eloquent and noble lady of Florence, is accompanied by a group of
gentlemen and ladies. To pass the time, one eager gentleman offers to “carry
her on horseback” with a story, promising an entertaining ride through words.

Madonna Oretta graciously accepts, prepared to be charmed by his tale.

Yet the promised ride turns bumpy. The knight, though well-intentioned, is a

painfully poor storyteller: he stumbles through his narrative, repeats himself
excessively, gets names wrong, and frequently backtracks. What should have
been a delightful passage of time becomes a long, wearying ordeal. The
tale itself may be excellent, but the teller’s execution turns it into something
unbearable.

With poise and humor, Madonna Oretta interrupts the disjointed tale not
with bluntness, but with brilliant irony. Likening his storytelling to a jarring

horseback ride, she politely asks to be “dismounted.” Her statement is
delicately worded, yet sharp enough to cut through the awkwardness and
restore dignity to the moment.
GRACE COLLIDES WITH
DISCORD IN THE PORTRAYAL The gentleman, though likely embarrassed, receives her rebuke in good spirits.
OF MADONNA ORETTA, A
VISUAL UNRAVELING WHERE Through this brief exchange, Boccaccio celebrates Madonna Oretta’s mastery
STORYTELLING’S STRUCTURAL of tact, highlighting her intelligence and courage to speak truth wrapped
ESSENCE IS DECONSTRUCTED in elegance. The story reveals that social grace can be wielded to restore
AND RESHAPED, AS IF balance even when the mood falters, and that wit, particularly in women,
GEOMETRY ITSELF WERE
FOLDED INWARD. shines brightest when paired with civility and charm.
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