Page 200 - Petru Russo | The 100 Days of Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

The Master and the Thief
This novella humorously recounts the cunning exploits of Cecco,
son of Messer Fortarrigo, as he dupes his companion, Cecco,
son of Messer Angiulieri. Themes of greed, deception, and quick
thinking underscore the story.
Cecco Fortarrigo, a wily gambler, loses his money, and that of
his companion, Cecco Angiulieri, while playing at Buonconvento.
Desperate and reckless, Fortarrigo flees with the remainder of their
possessions, including Angiulieri’s palfrey and clothing, leaving his
companion destitute.
Furious and humiliated, Angiulieri pursues Fortarrigo, clad only in
his shirt and crying out that he has been robbed. The spectacle
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draws the attention of local peasants, who intercept the fugitive
gambler. Seizing the opportunity, Fortarrigo employs his cunning.
He convinces the crowd that Angiulieri, in his disheveled state, is a
madman falsely accusing him.
As the commotion unfolds, Fortarrigo slyly regains control of the
situation. He dons Angiulieri’s clothes, mounts the palfrey, and
makes a swift escape, leaving his hapless companion to follow on
foot, humiliated and baffled.
The tale concludes with the ironic triumph of Fortarrigo’s deceit,
underscoring the disparity between clever manipulation and
genuine morality. It invites reflection on the vulnerabilities of trust
and the razor-thin line between trickery and cleverness.
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