Page 164 - Petru Russo | The 100 Days of Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

Arriguccio Berlinghieri and Sismonda

This novella tells the cunning and humorous story of Sismonda, a decoy in the bed, assumes he has caught Sismonda red-handed. In
resourceful wife who outsmarts her jealous husband, Arriguccio his fury, he beats the woman and cuts off her hair as punishment.

Berlinghieri. Themes of mistrust, wit, and poetic justice underscore
the tale. The next morning, Arriguccio calls upon Sismonda’s brothers
to expose her supposed infidelity. However, Sismonda, already
Arriguccio, plagued by jealousy, grows suspicious of his wife, back in place, presents herself unscathed. The brothers, seeing

Sismonda. He discovers that she uses a piece of pack-thread tied no evidence of wrongdoing, rebuke Arriguccio for his false
to her toe as a signal for her lover’s arrival. Determined to catch accusations and rash actions. Sismonda emerges victorious, her
her in the act, Arriguccio watches for the signal one night and sets wit saving her from her husband’s baseless jealousy.
off in pursuit of the supposed lover.

This tale highlights the power of quick thinking and the humorous
While he is gone, Sismonda cleverly replaces herself in the marital consequences of unchecked suspicion.
bed with another woman. Upon his return, Arriguccio, finding the

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