Page 92 - SUMMARIES OF GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO’S DECAMEON : A Visionary Journey In 100 Stories And 100 Etchings By Petru Russu

Love’s Last Stand : Gerbino’s Fate

In the glittering courts of Sicily, Gerbino, grandson of King Gulielmo, is raised as
heir to the throne, a young man of striking nobility, valor, and charm. His reputation
spreads far beyond the island’s shores, carried on the lips of merchants, diplomats,

and poets. In Tunis, a princess hears these tales and becomes enamored, not by
sight, but by the myth of him. She imagines his voice, his bearing, his soul. And
Gerbino, in turn, hears of her beauty and grace, and falls just as deeply, just as
blindly. Their love is born of rumor and sustained by longing. It is a love untouched

by reality, yet more powerful than any courtship. They never meet, yet they are
bound, two souls tethered by the idea of one another.

But politics, as ever, intrudes. The princess’s father, wary of scandal and eager to

secure an alliance, arranges her marriage to the King of Granada. Knowing of her
secret affection, he seeks a solemn promise from King Gulielmo that Gerbino will
not interfere. Gulielmo, unaware of the depth of his grandson’s devotion, agrees
and sends a glove as a token of peace. Gerbino is torn. The glove represents

duty, diplomacy, and restraint. But his heart burns with a love that refuses to be
silenced. He famously quips that “a glove is useless without a falcon,” and sets
sail with two ships to intercept the bridal convoy at sea.

When he announces himself, the Tunisian officers wave Gulielmo’s glove
and refuse to surrender the princess. Gerbino, undeterred, sets a small boat
ablaze and rams it into the ship, a fiery declaration of love and defiance. But
the princess’s captors, fearing dishonor, kill her before she can be taken.

Gerbino watches her die, and in a fury, slaughters the crew. He retrieves
THE IMAGE PULSES WITH ANGUISH
AND GRANDEUR, ALMOST LIKE A her body from the sea and buries her in Sicily, honoring her in death as he
MARITIME REQUIEM, ITS TANGLED could not in life. The King of Tunis, outraged, sends ambassadors to demand
TEXTURES AND VIVID CLASHING
justice. Gulielmo, bound by his word and the weight of reputation, orders
HUES SUGGEST THE FURY OF
Gerbino’s arrest. The young prince is beheaded, not as a criminal, but as a
GERBINO’S FINAL STAND AGAINST
THE TIDES OF FATE. romantic martyr. His death is swift, his legacy eternal.
DECAMERON 90 91