Page 64 - THE DECAMERON: 100 Days on 100 Etchings by Petru Rusu
P. 64
“Dom Felice and Friar Puccio“
There once was a guy named Puccio, who was part of the sex). Puccio also has to find a place in the house where
Franciscan order. He took the title “Friar” even though he can gaze up at the heavens at night and contemplate
he didn’t live in a cloister. In fact, he was married to Jesus’ crucifixion. While he’s doing this, he has to say
the young and beautiful Monna Isabetta. She wasn’t too 600 prayers (Our Father and Hail Mary). And BTW, he has
happy about Friar Puccio’s ideas about sexual abstinence. to do all of this while assuming the position of Christ
Whenever she felt “playful,” Puccio would talk about on the cross. In the morning, he’s allowed to rest, but
Jesus or “sermonize” her. This got old quick. Isabetta then he has to attend 3 masses at the church. Puccio’s
required someone else to take over Puccio’s duties. Enter thrilled. So is his wife. Because while he’s doing all this
Dom Felice, who is, ironically, actually a monk attached penance, his wife’s in the room next door tasting a little
to the local church. Friar Puccio works hard to be friends bit of heaven herself. One night, however, Dom Felice
with him because Dom Felice appears to be saintly. gets a little too...frisky. Puccio hears the ruckus and calls
Felice decides to help Puccio out by pleasing Isabetta. out to his wife. Isabetta’s prepared with a good answer:
Of course, she takes him up on his advances, with one she’s been fasting too, and it makes her restless at night.
stipulation: she’ll only do it in her own house. This is After that close call, Isabetta and Felice make up a bed in
difficult, because Puccio never leaves unless it’s to go to another part of the house and continue their play. Here’s
church. So Felice decides to make his own luck by fooling the pun: Isabetta quips that Puccio is doing penance, but
Puccio. He’s going to share with him a sure fire recipe for that they (Felice and Isabetta) are the ones in Paradise.
saintliness. He convinces Puccio that he’ll go to heaven But all good things must come to an end. The 40 days go
if he follows his simple plan. Here it is: Puccio has to by. Of course, Felice and Isabetta figure out more ways to
confess his sins and fast for 40 days (from both food and continue their pleasures.
“Dom Felice and Friar Puccio” Retrieved from publicly source: shmoop
DECAMERON 64 <https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/decameron/summary/third-day-fourth-story>