Page 60 - SUMMARIES OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO’S DECAMEON : A Visionary Journey In 100 Stories And 100 Etchings By Petru Russu

Paganino of Monaco and Ricciardo

In Pisa, Messer Ricciardo di Chinzica is a judge of great intellect but little
physical vigor, a man more suited to books than to the passions of marriage.
Despite his age and frailty, he insists on marrying a young and beautiful
woman named Bartolomea, believing his wealth and wisdom will suffice
to keep her content. Yet from the very first night, Ricciardo’s inadequacy

is laid bare, his attempts at intimacy are feeble, and his recovery requires
tonics and rest. Bartolomea, spirited and sensual, finds herself trapped in a
life of abstinence and lectures, her youth wasting away under the weight of

Ricciardo’s piety and control.

One summer, Ricciardo takes Bartolomea on a sea voyage, hoping the change
of scenery might distract her from her dissatisfaction. But fate intervenes
when their boat is overtaken by Paganino da Monaco, a bold and charismatic

pirate. Paganino, struck by Bartolomea’s beauty and charm, abducts her,
not with cruelty, but with admiration. He brings her to Monaco, where she
discovers a life of freedom, laughter, and affection. Paganino treats her not as
a possession, but as a partner, and Bartolomea blossoms in his company.

Ricciardo, desperate to reclaim his wife, tracks her down and approaches

Paganino with civility, requesting her return. Paganino, amused but
respectful, agrees, on one condition: the lady must choose for herself.
When Ricciardo pleads with Bartolomea in private, she responds with
WROUGHT IN FLUID CONTOURS biting honesty. She questions why he ever married, given his inability to
AND SUNBURNT PALETTES,
THE PIECE CHANNELS ESCAPE fulfill the role of a husband, and declares her intention to remain with
AND EROTIC AUTONOMY, ITS Paganino, where she is cherished and free. Ricciardo, humiliated and
BUOYANT CHAOS REFLECTING heartbroken, returns to Pisa and dies not long after. Bartolomea, now a
THE WIFE’S SEISMIC SHIFT
FROM CONFINEMENT TO LOVE widow by circumstance and choice, marries Paganino and begins a new
UNANCHORED. life founded not on duty or status, but on mutual joy and respect.
DECAMERON 58 59