Nastagio’s Spectral Spectacle

The Decameron

This flow traces how Nastagio turns a recurring supernatural punishment into a public intervention in a courtship that has gone unreturned.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Rejected Courtship Rejected Courtship from "The Decameron". Rejected Courtship Love without return Nastagio degli Onesti loves a daughter of the Traversari family and spends his wealth trying to win her.

Rejected Courtship from "The Decameron". Rejected Courtship Love without return Nastagio degli Onesti loves a daughter of the Traversari family and spends his wealth trying to win her.

Rejected Courtship Love without return Nastagio degli Onesti loves a daughter of the Traversari family and spends his wealth trying to win her. She remains proud and indifferent. Friends intervene His relatives urge him to leave Ravenna before his passion ruins him. He settles temporarily near Chiassi.

The Chase Appears The Chase Appears from "The Decameron". The Chase Appears A terrifying vision Walking alone, Nastagio sees a naked woman pursued by two mastiffs and an armed knight.

The Chase Appears from "The Decameron". The Chase Appears A terrifying vision Walking alone, Nastagio sees a naked woman pursued by two mastiffs and an armed knight.

The Chase Appears A terrifying vision Walking alone, Nastagio sees a naked woman pursued by two mastiffs and an armed knight. He tries to intervene before learning why they pursue her. The knight’s account Guido degli Anastagi explains that the woman and he repeat a punishment for her cruelty and his despairing death.

The Punishment Repeated The Punishment Repeated from "The Decameron". The Punishment Repeated A supernatural sentence The knight overtakes the woman, kills her, and gives her heart and entrails to the dogs.

The Punishment Repeated from "The Decameron". The Punishment Repeated A supernatural sentence The knight overtakes the woman, kills her, and gives her heart and entrails to the dogs.

The Punishment Repeated A supernatural sentence The knight overtakes the woman, kills her, and gives her heart and entrails to the dogs. She then rises and resumes the same flight. An idea forms Nastagio sees that the punishment recurs at a fixed time and place. He considers how to make the spectacle address his own courtship.

A Dinner Arranged A Dinner Arranged from "The Decameron". A Dinner Arranged An audience assembled Nastagio invites his relatives and the Traversari family to dine in the part of the wood where the apparition appears.

A Dinner Arranged from "The Decameron". A Dinner Arranged An audience assembled Nastagio invites his relatives and the Traversari family to dine in the part of the wood where the apparition appears.

A Dinner Arranged An audience assembled Nastagio invites his relatives and the Traversari family to dine in the part of the wood where the apparition appears. The vision returns As the meal proceeds, the knight and woman appear again. Guests witness the chase and the repeated killing at close range.

Courtship Transformed Courtship Transformed from "The Decameron". Courtship Transformed Fear changes the lady’s decision The Traversari woman sees the punishment and fears that a similar fate could await her.

Courtship Transformed from "The Decameron". Courtship Transformed Fear changes the lady’s decision The Traversari woman sees the punishment and fears that a similar fate could await her.

Courtship Transformed Fear changes the lady’s decision The Traversari woman sees the punishment and fears that a similar fate could await her. She sends word that she will marry Nastagio. A public resolution Nastagio accepts the marriage, and the couple live together. Other women in Ravenna become more responsive to their suitors after hearing of the event.

Before Nastagio leaves Ravenna

A day in May in the pine wood at Chiassi

Minutes after the knight’s explanation

The following Friday

After the spectacle at dinner