Love and Transformation

The Decameron

This flow traces a recurring pattern in which desire changes a person’s conduct, fortune, or sense of self.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Cimon Sees Iphigenia Cimon Sees Iphigenia from "The Decameron". Cimon Sees Iphigenia A first awakening Cimon, once dismissed as dull, sees Iphigenia asleep in a meadow and becomes captivated by her beauty.

Cimon Sees Iphigenia from "The Decameron". Cimon Sees Iphigenia A first awakening Cimon, once dismissed as dull, sees Iphigenia asleep in a meadow and becomes captivated by her beauty.

Cimon Sees Iphigenia A first awakening Cimon, once dismissed as dull, sees Iphigenia asleep in a meadow and becomes captivated by her beauty. His attention begins to draw him out of his uncultivated habits. Love redirects him He studies, learns manners, and trains in music and arms. The narrative presents love as the force that reveals abilities others had not recognized.

Love Meets Refusal Love Meets Refusal from "The Decameron". Love Meets Refusal Marriage denied Cimon asks for Iphigenia, but her father has promised her to Pasimondas.

Love Meets Refusal from "The Decameron". Love Meets Refusal Marriage denied Cimon asks for Iphigenia, but her father has promised her to Pasimondas.

Love Meets Refusal Marriage denied Cimon asks for Iphigenia, but her father has promised her to Pasimondas. Hearing of the arrangement, Cimon fears losing her permanently. A desperate choice He resolves to take her by force at sea rather than accept separation. Desire shifts from personal transformation to a dangerous plan.

Storm and Capture Storm and Capture from "The Decameron". Storm and Capture A brief victory Cimon overtakes Iphigenia’s ship and defeats its defenders.

Storm and Capture from "The Decameron". Storm and Capture A brief victory Cimon overtakes Iphigenia’s ship and defeats its defenders.

Storm and Capture A brief victory Cimon overtakes Iphigenia’s ship and defeats its defenders. He tells the Rhodians that his aim is the woman, not their property. Fortune reverses A storm drives the lovers back to Rhodes, where they are captured and imprisoned. Their reunion is cut short before they can build a life together.

Friendship Becomes Alliance Friendship Becomes Alliance from "The Decameron". Friendship Becomes Alliance Shared love and shared danger Lysimachus loves Cassandra, whose marriage is arranged with Ormisdas.

Friendship Becomes Alliance from "The Decameron". Friendship Becomes Alliance Shared love and shared danger Lysimachus loves Cassandra, whose marriage is arranged with Ormisdas.

Friendship Becomes Alliance Shared love and shared danger Lysimachus loves Cassandra, whose marriage is arranged with Ormisdas. The two imprisoned young men recognize parallel threats to their desires. A joint plan Lysimachus recruits Cimon for a coordinated wedding-day raid. The friendship gives both men a chance to escape confinement and pursue marriage.

Two Marriages and Return Two Marriages and Return from "The Decameron". Two Marriages and Return A daring escape Cimon and Lysimachus abduct Iphigenia and Cassandra from the wedding feasts and escape to Crete.

Two Marriages and Return from "The Decameron". Two Marriages and Return A daring escape Cimon and Lysimachus abduct Iphigenia and Cassandra from the wedding feasts and escape to Crete.

Two Marriages and Return A daring escape Cimon and Lysimachus abduct Iphigenia and Cassandra from the wedding feasts and escape to Crete. A lasting settlement They marry the women and eventually return to their respective homelands. The tale closes the arc from Cimon’s awakening to shared domestic happiness.

During a walk in the Cypriot countryside

After Cimon becomes accomplished

The night of Cimon’s first abduction

During Cimon’s imprisonment in Rhodes

After the wedding-day raid