Introduction

For my final project, I rewrote the tale of Ghismonda in five mini stories as though it had been told on a different day of The Decameron. I researched the stated themes of each day in the original text and read analyses on other themes running through the tales of each day to gain a sense of what each day/rewritten tale might look like. Through it, I was able to become more familiar with the structure and content of The Decameron, the different members of the brigata, and the themes present on each day and throughout the text as a whole. I also tried to somewhat imitate the storytelling and linguistic style of The Decameron. It was really fascinating to explore such a layered and interesting text through a creative project. I have included annotations detailing some of my research/inspiration for each storyline for each day I chose to look at.

Second Day

You have heard, my lords and ladies, the tale of Ghismonda and Guiscardo, come to an unfortunate end. But, regretful as Filostrato was, fortune has seen fit to provide another path for the lovers. Hear now the tale of Ghismonda and Guiscardo, told in the manner of a tale on the second day, where fortune leads men to happiness “beyond their hopes,” rather than the unfortunate fourth.

Ghismonda and Guiscardo, having fallen passionately in love, continued their periodic rendezvous using the shaft in the cavern and the staircase leading to Ghismonda’s room. And it came to pass, as before, that they were discovered by Tancredi, and each fell deep into grief: Ghismonda for her lover, Tancredi for his daughter’s lost trust and her condescension to a man so far below her, and Guiscardo for the ultimate happiness he had only briefly tasted. Ghismonda procured the poison and set her heart to the grim task before her, but, moved by a force beyond her understanding, she sought a final glimpse of the outside world’s beauty, and set out on a walk around the palace grounds. In the deep woods around the palace, she was met by a man on horseback. After her initial fright, she inquired as to his destination, and he told her his task: he was a man from a far kingdom, come to inform Prince Tancredi that the boy he had sheltered since childhood, Guiscardo, was the lost son of a distant family, of entirely noble birth. Ghismonda, scarcely believing what she heard, rode with the man back to the palace, praying she was not too late. Finding Tancredi with Guiscardo’s guards, she begged the man to tell her father what he’d told her, and Tancredi, upon hearing the news, dismissed Guiscardo’s guards. Relieved in his heart at the lessening of his daughter’s perceived offense, he freed Guiscardo and was quite willing to consider the prospect of marriage. Ghismonda reunited with Guiscardo, joyful beyond measure in his love and in how Fortune saw fit to show others the nobility she had always seen within him.

Fifth Day

The tale of Ghismonda and Guiscardo, retold with this fifth day’s deceptive beauty, finds Ghismonda and Guiscardo married after many trials– though with the looming pressure of Tancredi’s displeasure and of convention.

It so happened that Ghismonda, lonely though she was, simply watched Guiscardo from afar, not yet ready to transgress her father’s authority or the shame all her life had instilled in her. Guiscardo, however, had noted her loneliness and the way she watched him, and took it upon himself to approach her. Speaking with him one night, she finally gave in and kissed him– only for the pair to be found in their embrace by Tancredi. Furious, Tancredi ordered that Guiscardo immediately be exiled. Ghismonda, however, having tasted the happiness she had been denied, stole out that night after Guiscardo, finding him only after many trials. They lived together for a year in a small country village, Ghismonda hiding her true noble identity. Meanwhile Tancredi, lost in sorrow and regret for his hasty decision, sent men to search the countryside for his daughter, fearing the worst. When she was found eventually, after little more than a year, Tancredi himself came to apologize and beg her to return. But Ghismonda had grown used to a life free from the pressures and constant scrutiny of the nobility, and was unwilling to return. She also, however, longed to be traditionally bound for life to Guiscardo. Tancredi, momentarily enraged, ordered the soldiers to kill Guiscardo, and Ghismonda begged frantically for some compromise. Tancredi presented his offer: despite his misgivings and strangeness of such a union, they would be allowed to marry, if only she would return. She accepted, and they lived for many years together happily. But Ghismonda thought always of that short time she had lived outside the palace walls, truer to herself than she had been or would ever be again.

Seventh Day

The tale of Ghismonda and Guiscardo, retold for the seventh day, presents Ghismonda pursuing her love within the confines of her previous marriage– and the trick she plays on her boorish husband.

Ghismonda had been married for some years not to Guiscardo, but to her first husband– old, ailing, and boorish though he was. She was quite unhappy, though she did her best to hide it. However, returning to court to visit her father, she saw Guiscardo and fell quickly in love. Resolving to find a way to speak to him despite her husband’s certain displeasure, she approached him as her husband was deep in conversation with Tancredi. They were immediately charmed by each other, and Ghismonda confided to him in a whisper her perpetual unhappiness. Guiscardo, sickened by the situation the young, beautiful woman found herself in, suggested that they hatch a plan. On the way back from her father’s palace, they were met on the road by Guiscardo, limping and dressed in rags. He told Ghismonda’s husband that he was a prince from a distant land who had been set upon by bandits, and drew out some of Ghismonda’s most precious jewelry, which she had given him back at the palace, to prove his tale. Her husband, whose greed was often greater than his sense, believed the story and agreed to take Guiscardo back with them in the hope of compensation. Ghismonda and Guiscardo met at night for a week, and, having fallen deeply in love, resolved to escape. Petitioning her husband one last time for a fast horse (the quicker to return with his reward), Guiscardo left that night– Ghismonda, his own most precious thing, riding with him.

Eighth Day

The tale retold for the eighth day is one of trickery, loyalty, and, ultimately, happiness.

It happened, just as on the fourth day, that Ghismonda and Guiscardo were found in their embrace, Guiscardo was imprisoned, and Ghismonda and Tancredi fell into their separate griefs. However, while miserable in his cell, Guiscardo was approached by one of his guards. The guard, expressing admiration for Guiscardo’s boldness in pursuing Ghismonda, offered to help him escape. While Guiscardo did not like the man’s tone and harbored some distrust, the situation was so desperate that he accepted his help. That night, the man and some of his companions stole in and freed Guiscardo– only to hit him over the head and again take him captive. The man arranged to deliver a letter to Ghismonda, offering the life of her beloved in exchange for her jewelry and her marriage to his own sovereign– a foreign lord. Guiscardo, they said, would only accept death rather than see her be tricked in this way, but they were willing to compromise. Ghismonda, joyous at the prospect of saving Guiscardo’s life but grieved by the situation, went for a walk to clear her mind. Tancredi, intending to visit his daughter, came into her room and found the letter. Seeing Guiscardo’s nobility of spirit and unwilling to let the boy he had raised from childhood fall victim to an unscrupulous outsider, Tancredi resolved to aid his daughter. He told Ghismonda that she should go to where Guiscardo was being held and pretend to agree, secretly followed by some of his own guards. She did as he suggested, and they quickly overcame Guiscardo’s captors. Tancredi, impressed by Guiscardo’s courage and remembering their shared history and Guiscardo’s years of loyalty, allowed him to marry Ghismonda.

Tenth Day

The tale of Ghismonda and Guiscardo, retold for the tenth day, presents each character at the height of their nobility– and requires no intercession from Fortune to reach its ultimate happiness.

Though Ghismonda and Guiscardo harbored incredible passion for each other, each was too proper to act on their desire. But one night, they nearly gave in, and they were happened upon by Tancredi, who, in the typical course of things, imprisoned Guiscardo and harshly chastised Ghismonda, despite their mutual innocence. Ghismonda tried to explain, but Tancredi would not listen. However, her pleas did make him doubt his resolve, and, despite his reluctance, he went to speak with Guiscardo. Guiscardo exactly matched Ghismonda’s story, and told Tancredi of the loneliness she had harbored for many years. He offered to forever exile himself, if only Tancredi would spare Ghismonda some of her grief by sparing his life, though it meant nothing to him without her. Tancredi was moved by Guiscardo’s passion and his offered sacrifice, and told Guiscardo he would consider his offer. As he considered Guiscardo’s tale of Ghismonda’s loneliness and the young man’s clear nobility of spirit, his heart began to soften towards them. He told Ghismonda the next morning that he would return to her her dearest possession, and though Ghismonda feared the worst, as she was walking in the garden that afternoon she saw Guiscardo, free and running to her, bright with the happiness Tancredi had found the strength to allow them.