Page 164 - SUMMARIES OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO’S DECAMEON : A Visionary Journey In 100 Stories And 100 Etchings By Petru Russu

Lodovico and Beatrice

Lodovico, a nobleman raised in the refined court of France, hears tales of
a woman whose beauty eclipses all others, Madonna Beatrice of Bologna.

The stories, told by knights returned from pilgrimage, ignite a longing so
fierce that Lodovico abandons his life of privilege and reinvents himself as
Anichino, a humble servant. Under this guise, he enters the household of
Beatrice’s husband, Egano, a man of vanity and limited wit.

Anichino quickly earns Egano’s trust, becoming indispensable in both
household affairs and personal confidences. But his true aim lies elsewhere.
During a quiet afternoon, Beatrice invites him to play chess. The game,

seemingly innocent, becomes a dance of glances and veiled words. As the
pieces move, so do hearts. When they are alone, Anichino confesses his love.
Beatrice, amused and intrigued, responds not with rejection but with a plan.

She instructs Egano to disguise himself in her garments and wait in

the garden, claiming it is a test of Anichino’s loyalty. Egano, flattered
and oblivious, agrees. Meanwhile, Beatrice and Anichino share a stolen
moment of intimacy, their affair sealed in silence and silk.

When the time comes, Anichino storms into the garden, feigning outrage at the
supposed betrayal. Mistaking Egano for Beatrice, he delivers a theatrical beating,

ETCHED WITH VIBRANT cursing the “lady” for her shamelessness. Egano, bruised and bewildered, returns
ASYMMETRY AND WRY to his wife convinced of her virtue and Anichino’s loyalty. Beatrice, untouched and
THEATRICALITY, “LODOVICO
composed, stands triumphant, desired by her lover, revered by her husband.
AND BEATRICE” CAPTURES
DUPLICITY AS PLAYFUL
CHOREOGRAPHY, WHERE The tale closes with a quiet smirk. Beatrice’s mastery of illusion and
DISGUISE, DESIRE, AND manipulation leaves no trace of scandal. Lodovico’s passion finds
DELUSION SPIRAL TOGETHER
its reward, Egano remains blissfully deceived, and the reader is left
IN GEOMETRIC PRECISION AND
COMIC TENSION. marveling at the delicate balance of wit, desire, and deception.
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