Page 166 - SUMMARIES OF BOCCACCIO’S DECAMERON - A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu

Arriguccio Berlinghieri and Sismonda

This novella tells the cunning and humorous story of Sismonda, a
resourceful wife who outsmarts her jealous husband, Arriguccio
Berlinghieri. Themes of mistrust, wit, and poetic justice underscore
the tale.

Arriguccio, plagued by jealousy, grows suspicious of his wife,
Sismonda. He discovers that she uses a piece of pack-thread tied
to her toe as a signal for her lover’s arrival. Determined to catch

her in the act, Arriguccio watches for the signal one night and sets
off in pursuit of the supposed lover.

While he is gone, Sismonda cleverly replaces herself in the marital

bed with another woman. Upon his return, Arriguccio, finding the
decoy in the bed, assumes he has caught Sismonda red-handed. In
his fury, he beats the woman and cuts off her hair as punishment.

The next morning, Arriguccio calls upon Sismonda’s brothers
to expose her supposed infidelity. However, Sismonda, already
back in place, presents herself unscathed. The brothers, seeing
no evidence of wrongdoing, rebuke Arriguccio for his false

accusations and rash actions. Sismonda emerges victorious, her
wit saving her from her husband’s baseless jealousy.

This tale highlights the power of quick thinking and the humorous

consequences of unchecked suspicion.

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