Wit as a Means of Survival

The Decameron

This flow traces how quick speech and practical intelligence repeatedly prevent shame, injury, or loss.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Nightingale Retort The Nightingale Retort from "The Decameron". The Nightingale Retort A hidden couple discovered Messer Lizio finds Caterina and Ricciardo asleep together.

The Nightingale Retort from "The Decameron". The Nightingale Retort A hidden couple discovered Messer Lizio finds Caterina and Ricciardo asleep together.

The Nightingale Retort A hidden couple discovered Messer Lizio finds Caterina and Ricciardo asleep together. The young man faces possible punishment for the secret affair. A comic explanation Lizio jokes that Caterina has finally caught the nightingale she wanted to hear. The phrase converts a dangerous discovery into a marriage settlement.

The Crane Excuse The Crane Excuse from "The Decameron". The Crane Excuse A missing leg Chichibio gives a crane’s thigh to Brunetta, then serves the bird to Currado missing one leg. His master demands an explanation.

The Crane Excuse from "The Decameron". The Crane Excuse A missing leg Chichibio gives a crane’s thigh to Brunetta, then serves the bird to Currado missing one leg. His master demands an explanation.

The Crane Excuse A missing leg Chichibio gives a crane’s thigh to Brunetta, then serves the bird to Currado missing one leg. His master demands an explanation. A timely reversal Chichibio claims cranes have only one leg and points to sleeping birds. When Currado shouts, they lower their other legs, prompting a witty answer that turns anger into laughter.

The Horse with a Hard Trot The Horse with a Hard Trot from "The Decameron". The Horse with a Hard Trot A story fails A gentleman promises to entertain Madam Oretta with a tale while accompanying her on horseback.

The Horse with a Hard Trot from "The Decameron". The Horse with a Hard Trot A story fails A gentleman promises to entertain Madam Oretta with a tale while accompanying her on horseback.

The Horse with a Hard Trot A story fails A gentleman promises to entertain Madam Oretta with a tale while accompanying her on horseback. His disordered telling makes the ride unpleasant. A courteous interruption Oretta asks him to set her down because his horse has too hard a trot. The image gently criticizes his narration without an open quarrel.

Cisti’s Discreet Hint Cisti’s Discreet Hint from "The Decameron". Cisti’s Discreet Hint A request mishandled Messer Geri’s servant approaches Cisti with an unsuitable large vessel for the baker’s fine wine.

Cisti’s Discreet Hint from "The Decameron". Cisti’s Discreet Hint A request mishandled Messer Geri’s servant approaches Cisti with an unsuitable large vessel for the baker’s fine wine.

Cisti’s Discreet Hint A request mishandled Messer Geri’s servant approaches Cisti with an unsuitable large vessel for the baker’s fine wine. Cisti initially refuses to fill it. The meaning recognized Geri understands that Cisti’s reply corrects the request, not his hospitality. He sends a proper flask, and the exchange preserves respect on both sides.

The Physician’s Punch Line The Physician’s Punch Line from "The Decameron". The Physician’s Punch Line A teasing question A group of gentlemen ask Alberto of Bologna why he loves a widow despite his age.

The Physician’s Punch Line from "The Decameron". The Physician’s Punch Line A teasing question A group of gentlemen ask Alberto of Bologna why he loves a widow despite his age.

The Physician’s Punch Line A teasing question A group of gentlemen ask Alberto of Bologna why he loves a widow despite his age. He answers with an analogy about ladies choosing the leaves of leeks instead of their best part. The joke turns back He suggests that an older man might be preferable to younger rivals. The women are disarmed by the wit they had meant to use against him.

Day Five, during Caterina’s father’s discovery

Day Six, after dinner

Day Six, during the ride through the countryside

Day Six, during the ambassadors’ visit

Day Six, at the gathering before Cisti’s house