Page 50 - SUMMARIES OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO’S DECAMEON : A Visionary Journey In 100 Stories And 100 Etchings By Petru Russu

Andreuccio’s Night of Trials

This novella recounts the perilous adventures of Andreuccio da Perugia, a
young merchant whose misfortunes in Naples lead to a night filled with danger,
cunning, and an eventual reward. Themes of resilience, adaptability, and fate

run through this gripping tale.

Andreuccio arrives in Naples with high hopes of investing his money in profitable
ventures, but his aspirations are dashed when he is immediately robbed of his
entire fortune. Stranded, desperate, and alone, he encounters a stranger who

promises him an opportunity to buy precious stones at a great price.

Desperate to regain his losses, Andreuccio agrees, only to find himself in a

cemetery at night. There, he falls into an open grave and loses consciousness.
Awakening to the gruesome sight of dead bodies, Andreuccio’s terror mounts
as he realizes he has no idea how to escape the cemetery.

Before long, he is mistaken for a thief by a group of actual robbers. They

bring him to their hideout and rope him into their next heist, mistaking his
compliance for cooperation. When their plan goes awry, Andreuccio seizes the
opportunity to escape, only to face new dangers.

In the winding streets of Naples, he meets a woman who offers him refuge,
but her hospitality masks sinister intentions. Andreuccio narrowly avoids
SWIRLING WITH SPECTRAL disaster when her enraged husband returns unexpectedly, forcing him to hide
GEOMETRY AND JAGGED in a chest. The ruse fails, and Andreuccio is taken prisoner yet again.
SILHOUETTES, THE PIECE
CONJURES A FEVERED DESCENT
INTO NAPLES’ NOCTURNAL Just when all hope seems lost, a group of Perugian merchants passing
UNDERWORLD, WHERE FEAR through Naples recognizes Andreuccio and comes to his aid. They rescue
FLIRTS WITH FORTUNE, AND
him, ensuring his safe return home. In an ironic twist, Andreuccio finds a ruby
RESILIENCE IS FORGED IN THE
among his belongings, a prize gained through his night of trials.
TEETH OF MISADVENTURE.
DECAMERON 48 49