The Decameron — Day I, Story I
Author: Giovanni Boccaccio
Read “The Decameron — Day I, Story I” by Giovanni Boccaccio in Italian, German, English, French, Dutch, Polish, Russian and Swedish in Bibliott on your phone and tablet.
Languages: Italian, German, English, French, NL, PL, RU, SV
Genre: Historical, Satire, Short story
Free to read
A corrupt notary deceives a friar with a false confession and is venerated as a saint after death.
Characters
- Master Cepparello (Ciappelletto) — notary and debt collector: A hardened sinner who presents himself on his deathbed as a model of devotion.
- Messer Musciatto Franzesi — merchant and Ciappelletto’s employer: He sends Ciappelletto to collect his debts in Burgundy.
- The holy friar — Franciscan confessor: A revered friar who accepts Ciappelletto’s confession as wholly sincere.
- The two Florentine brothers — moneylenders and Ciappelletto’s hosts: They fear the public consequences if their guest dies without Christian burial.
- Panfilo — narrator of the novella: The first storyteller of the day introduces the tale with a reflection on divine grace.