Fortune, Endurance, and Griselda

The Decameron

This flow tracks Griselda’s rise from poverty, endurance through repeated tests, and restoration as Gualtieri’s honored wife.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Peasant Chosen A Peasant Chosen from "The Decameron". A Peasant Chosen A ruler’s decision Gualtieri agrees to marry only if he may choose a wife according to his own will.

A Peasant Chosen from "The Decameron". A Peasant Chosen A ruler’s decision Gualtieri agrees to marry only if he may choose a wife according to his own will.

A Peasant Chosen A ruler’s decision Gualtieri agrees to marry only if he may choose a wife according to his own will. He selects Griselda, the daughter of a poor man. Status changes Griselda leaves a life of poverty for a marquis’s household. Her new position does not remove the uncertainty imposed by her husband.

The First Child Taken The First Child Taken from "The Decameron". The First Child Taken A cruel test Gualtieri tells Griselda that his people resent the child’s birth and sends an agent to take her daughter away.

The First Child Taken from "The Decameron". The First Child Taken A cruel test Gualtieri tells Griselda that his people resent the child’s birth and sends an agent to take her daughter away.

The First Child Taken A cruel test Gualtieri tells Griselda that his people resent the child’s birth and sends an agent to take her daughter away. Patient submission Griselda surrenders the infant without resistance, asking only that the child be spared unnecessary suffering. Gualtieri secretly has the girl raised elsewhere.

The Son Removed The Son Removed from "The Decameron". The Son Removed The trial repeated After Griselda bears a son, Gualtieri repeats the deception and claims the people will not accept him as heir.

The Son Removed from "The Decameron". The Son Removed The trial repeated After Griselda bears a son, Gualtieri repeats the deception and claims the people will not accept him as heir.

The Son Removed The trial repeated After Griselda bears a son, Gualtieri repeats the deception and claims the people will not accept him as heir. Endurance maintained Griselda permits the child to be taken and continues serving her husband. Her behavior reveals the depth of her constancy.

Dismissal from the Palace Dismissal from the Palace from "The Decameron". Dismissal from the Palace A false new marriage Gualtieri claims that he has obtained permission to put Griselda aside and marry again.

Dismissal from the Palace from "The Decameron". Dismissal from the Palace A false new marriage Gualtieri claims that he has obtained permission to put Griselda aside and marry again.

Dismissal from the Palace A false new marriage Gualtieri claims that he has obtained permission to put Griselda aside and marry again. He orders her to leave in the clothes she wore as a poor girl. Return without resentment Griselda obeys, asking only for a shift to preserve her modesty. She returns to her father’s house without retaliating.

The Children Revealed The Children Revealed from "The Decameron". The Children Revealed A final disguise Gualtieri brings home his grown daughter as the supposed bride.

The Children Revealed from "The Decameron". The Children Revealed A final disguise Gualtieri brings home his grown daughter as the supposed bride.

The Children Revealed A final disguise Gualtieri brings home his grown daughter as the supposed bride. Griselda receives her graciously and helps arrange the household. Restoration Gualtieri reveals the children and ends his tests. He brings Griselda back as his marchioness, honoring her before the assembled guests.

Before Gualtieri’s marriage

After Griselda gives birth to a daughter

Several years after the daughter’s birth

After the children have grown

At the celebration of Gualtieri’s supposed new marriage