Page 226 - THE DECAMERON: 100 Days on 100 Etchings by Petru Rusu

“Titus and Gisippus“

Filomena’s story takes place in the early days of Octavianus Caesar, before the point of disowning him for his bad behavior, even though he tries to
he got rid of the other two guys in the Roman ruling triumvirate and convince them he’s behaved honorably. Titus hears it all and notes that
became Emperor Augustus. A young man called Titus Quintus Fulvius Athenians are always given to loud complaining about everything and just
was sent by his father to Athens, to be schooled under the care of an old need to be told to shut up. He calls the families of Gisippus and Sophronia
friend named Chremes. Chremes himself has a son named Gisippus, about together and works his philosophy on them. Since the actions of man
Titus’ age. He sends the boys off to a philosopher called Aristippus to be are preordained by the gods, he says, why are you complaining? Clearly,
educated. The boys become great friends and are praised by everyone for Sophronia was destined by the gods to be Titus’ wife. Human reason
their intelligence. Then Chremes dies, and both young men are devastated. should also teach them to quit complaining about Gisippus’ behavior. The
Gisippus’ family arranges a marriage for him to Sophronia, a beautiful laws of friendship ruled his actions and therefore he is the noblest of
15-year-old. Before the wedding day, Gisippus asks Titus to visit Sophronia dudes. Then Titus convinces the families that he’s far more preferable
with him. Big mistake. Titus, of course, falls in love with Sophronia at first as a husband to Sophronia than their original choice (he’s actually quite
sight. He beats himself up about it and tries to remind himself how very humble in his phrasing of it). He’s from an ancient noble Roman family, and
wrong it is. But then he remembers her beauty and decides he needs to everyone knows that Rome is a free city while Athens still pays tribute.
follow his heart. Titus uses his philosophical training to reason out why And besides, he didn’t play a trick on Sophronia to degrade her. He did it
Gisippus should really be happy that his friend has fallen in love with his to become her husband. Titus mentions that he said the proper words of
girl. And then he beats himself up again with guilt. This goes on for days. marriage to her and gave her a ring even asked if she consented to be his
He eventually falls ill from obsessing about it. Gisippus tries to cheer up his wife. (Too bad for her if she neglected to ask who he was). The message is
suicidal friend and asks him what’s going on, but Titus can’t bring himself to clear: just get over it, people. Here’s an interesting twist: if they don’t let it
say. Finally, he confesses his passion for Gisippus’ bride-to-be. No, Gisippus slide, he’ll take Gisippus to Rome with him instead. Then he’ll come back for
doesn’t kill him. Instead, he bursts into tears at his friend’s misery.In an Sophronia. When Titus finishes, he takes Gisippus by the hand and storms
absolutely rational fashion, Gisippus tells Titus that he can have Sophronia out of the temple. The Athenians fall in line and give Sophronia back to
as his wife, because Titus’ life is more important to him that having Titus. They go off to Rome and Gisippus stays in Athens. But the fortunes
Sophronia Titus is moved by the offer, but also ashamed. He can’t take him of war drag down Gisippus and his family, who have to leave Athens
up on it. No, really. Besides, he’ll either get over it or he’ll die. Either way, and become beggars. Gisippus goes to Rome in the hopes that Titus will
his suffering will end. Gisippus protests. He really can’t have Titus dying on remember and save him. By this time, Titus is an important man and
him because this is a serious bromance. And besides, he’s not really losing Gisippus is afraid to ask him for anything. Titus passes him by and Gisippus
Sophronia to Titus. He’s really just “transferring” her to his “second self.” assumes that he’s been snubbed. So he literally crawls off to a cave to die.
Plus, he loves Sophronia well enough, but he sees that Titus is totally head- But robbers come into the cave to count their money. They argue over their
over-heels. After a long back-and-forth about it, Titus gives in and swears ill-gotten gains and one of them kills the other. Gisippus sees a way to die
that he’ll find a way to pay Gisippus’ back for his generosity. But there’s without committing suicide. Gisippus is quickly questioned and sentenced
another problem: how does Gisippus jilt Sophronia in a way that ensures to death by execution for killing the robber. But at that moment, Titus
that Titus will get her? There’s only one thing to do. Gisippus will go through happens to show up at court and recognizes Gisippus despite his wretched
the ceremonies and Titus will sleep with her.This way, if her family doesn’t appearance. Titus is shocked to see what’s happened to his good friend.
like it, they’ll just have to deal with it. Notice that Sophronia is being totally He claims that he, not Gisippus is the murderer. Gisippus insists it was him;
left out of this equation. On the wedding night, Titus and Gisippus have he doesn’t want his friend to die on his account just to pay him back for the
rooms next to each other with a connecting door. Gisippus enters the favor of Sophronia. Each man tries to convince the praetor that he’s the
chamber where his bride is waiting, turns out the lights, and goes to get real villain, but the praetor isn’t biting. And then out of the blue, amazed
Titus. But Titus is having second thoughts and Gisippus practically has to by the actions of the two men, the real murderer steps forward and
shove him through the door to the bridal chamber. Titus gets in bed and confesses. Octavianus (the future Caesar Augustus) summons the men to
asks the lady in a whisper if she wants to be married to him.So he puts a find out what the heck is going on. In the end, he releases all three of them
ring on her finger and consummates the marriage. But Fortune has a way (the murderer for the sake of the two men). So Titus shares his wealth and
of screwing things up. Titus gets a message that his father, Publius has house with Gisippus, but not his wife. For that, he gives his sister Fulvia in
died. He has to go back home (and take Sophronia with him), so he’ll have marriage to Gisippus. Gisippus decides to stay in Rome because, hey, he’s
to man up and tell her the truth. She doesn’t take it well. She goes back already been exiled from Athens. They all live happily together under one
home and tells her Dad, who’s not amused. Sophronia’s relatives complain roof. Filomena ends with a panegyric on friendship, extolling it as a blessing
to the families of both men and especially to Gisippus’ family. They’re at even better than, well, anything.
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