Deception Between Spouses

The Decameron

This flow traces marital suspicion, sexual secrecy, and the counter-tricks through which wives and husbands contest control.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Jealousy Becomes Surveillance

Jealousy Becomes Surveillance A husband’s suspicion Gianni Lotteringhi watches his wife Tessa closely, though she has a lover. His suspicion gives the household a climate of constant risk. A code arranged Tessa uses a thread tied to her toe as a signal to her lover. The simple device lets her manage meetings while concealing them from Gianni.

The Phantom Excuse The Phantom Excuse from "The Decameron". The Phantom Excuse A knock at the door Federigo arrives while Gianni is home and knocks.

The Phantom Excuse A knock at the door Federigo arrives while Gianni is home and knocks. Tessa claims the noise is a phantom and invokes a charm to keep her husband from investigating. A ruse holds She transforms the warning into an exorcism and gives Gianni a harmless explanation. The false belief protects the affair from immediate exposure.

The Lover Hidden in the Vat The Lover Hidden in the Vat from "The Decameron". The Lover Hidden in the Vat A sudden problem Peronella is with Giannello when her husband returns.

The Lover Hidden in the Vat from "The Decameron". The Lover Hidden in the Vat A sudden problem Peronella is with Giannello when her husband returns.

The Lover Hidden in the Vat A sudden problem Peronella is with Giannello when her husband returns. She hides him inside a vat, then learns that the husband has sold it. A quick reversal Peronella claims she has already sold the vat to the man inside. Giannello emerges and makes the husband scrape it clean and carry it home.

The Husband’s Disguise The Husband’s Disguise from "The Decameron". The Husband’s Disguise A wife accused Madam Agnesa is told that Fra Rinaldo has arrived to confess her.

The Husband’s Disguise from "The Decameron". The Husband’s Disguise A wife accused Madam Agnesa is told that Fra Rinaldo has arrived to confess her.

The Husband’s Disguise A wife accused Madam Agnesa is told that Fra Rinaldo has arrived to confess her. The friar is actually her lover, but she discovers her husband has disguised himself as the priest. The lie redirected She confesses a fabricated affair with a priest, sending the husband to keep watch at the wrong door while her real lover enters by another route.

A False Confession Unmasked A False Confession Unmasked from "The Decameron". A False Confession Unmasked Misread evidence Arriguccio mistakes a meeting with Ruberto for proof that Sismonda is unfaithful.

A False Confession Unmasked from "The Decameron". A False Confession Unmasked Misread evidence Arriguccio mistakes a meeting with Ruberto for proof that Sismonda is unfaithful.

A False Confession Unmasked Misread evidence Arriguccio mistakes a meeting with Ruberto for proof that Sismonda is unfaithful. His own drunkenness and surveillance cloud his judgment. The story turned around Sismonda’s family finds her apparently unharmed and hears her accuse her husband of drunken confusion. Her readiness to manipulate appearances shields her affair.

Day Seven, before Gianni leaves home

One night at the country house

Day Eight, after the husband returns unexpectedly

Day Eight, during Fra Rinaldo’s affair

Day Seven, after the jealous husband watches his wife