Page 188 - Summaries of Boccaccio's Decameron: A Visionary Journey in 100 Stories and 100 Etchings by Petru Russu
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Neighbors in Harmony: Spinelloccio and Zeppa


                                                                                   This novella humorously recounts the tale of Spinelloccio Tavena
                                                                                   and Zeppa di Mino, two friends entangled in a web of infidelity and
                                                                                   playful revenge. Themes of jealousy, wit, and retribution shape the
                                                                                   story.


                                                                                   Spinelloccio and Zeppa, neighbors and close companions, live in
                                                                                   apparent harmony. However, Spinelloccio begins an affair with
                                                                                   Zeppa’s wife, betraying the friendship. Zeppa, discovering the

                                                                                   deceit, devises a cunning plan with the help of his wife to teach
                                                                                   Spinelloccio a lesson.

                                                                                   Feigning ignorance of the affair, Zeppa invites Spinelloccio to

                                                                                   his home. There, he tricks him into entering a chest under the
                                                                                   pretense of hiding for a game. Once Spinelloccio is locked inside,
                                                                                   Zeppa seizes the opportunity to visit Spinelloccio’s house, where
                                                                                   he lies with Spinelloccio’s wife.


                                                                                   Afterward, Zeppa returns home, releases Spinelloccio from the
                                                                                   chest, and slyly reveals the truth. Spinelloccio, realizing he has
                                                                                   been outmaneuvered, cannot but accept his own duplicity and

                                                                                   Zeppa’s poetic revenge. The two men reconcile, each agreeing to
                                                                                   forgive and forget their mutual betrayals.

                                                                                   The tale concludes with the restoration of friendship and a return

                                                                                   to peaceful coexistence, highlighting the humor and absurdity of
                                                             TWISTING, ELONGATED   human relationships.
                                                        FORMS MIRROR THE TANGLED
                                                               RELATIONSHIPS AND
                                                     RECONCILIATION, CAPTURING THE
                                                               IRONY OF BETRAYAL.
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