Page 62 - Petru Russo | The 100 Days of Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
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Massetto da Lamporecchio: The Mute, the Nuns, and the Abbess
This novella recounts the witty and audacious tale of Masetto, Two nuns, curious and tempted by Masetto’s presence, conspire
a young laborer from Lamporecchio, who uses cunning and to test his supposed disability. Seizing the opportunity, Masetto
opportunism to exploit an unusual situation in a convent. Themes willingly becomes complicit. Word spreads among the sisters, and
of deception, desire, and consequence are vividly depicted in this soon, Masetto finds himself the clandestine lover of nearly the
humorous narrative. entire convent.
Masetto, seeking work, learns from Nuto, a disgruntled gardener, The Abbess, initially unaware, discovers Masetto asleep in the
that a poorly paid position at a convent is now vacant. Believing garden, exhausted from his nocturnal activities. She, too, succumbs
the nuns to be harmless but demanding, Masetto devises a bold to temptation, prompting Masetto to reveal his secret. Claiming to
plan. Recognizing that his youth and appearance might make the have miraculously regained speech, he warns the Abbess that he
nuns wary, he pretends to be deaf and mute to gain their trust. will leave unless order is restored.
The steward and Abbess, convinced of Masetto’s harmlessness, The Abbess, fearing scandal, strikes a deal to retain Masetto’s
hire him as the convent’s gardener. Masetto excels at his work, services while maintaining discretion. Elevated to the role of
charming the nuns with his strength and diligence. Believing he steward, Masetto remains at the convent for years, fathering
cannot hear or speak, the nuns tease him openly, emboldened by several children and ensuring the nuns’ reputations are protected.
his assumed vulnerability.
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