Rinuccio Palermini

Rinuccio Palermini is one of two Florentine exiles who court Francesca de' Lazzari in Pistoia. To rid herself of both suitors, Francesca sets them separate tasks involving the corpse of Scannadio, a man notorious for his wickedness. Rinuccio accepts the more perilous errand: enter Scannadio’s tomb and carry the body to her house. He finds Alessandro Chiarmontesi inside instead, lifts him onto his shoulders, and nearly reaches Francesca before the watch drives the men apart. His daring wins her admiration, but not the promised reward.

Identity and Background

Rinuccio is living in Pistoia because he and Alessandro have been banished from Florence. Each man has fallen passionately in love with Francesca, and neither knows of the other’s pursuit. Their courtship is conducted privately through messages and entreaties. Francesca has sometimes listened to them, but now wishes to withdraw discreetly from both and put an end to their importunity.

The Errand Francesca Sets

Francesca devises a test that will give her a plausible reason to refuse the suitors if they decline it. A man called Scannadio has been buried that day in a tomb outside the church of the Friars Minor. Francesca tells her maid to ask Alessandro to take the dead man’s place in the tomb, dressed in his clothes, and Rinuccio to remove the body and bring it to her house. Each is told that compliance will earn Francesca’s favor, while refusal will end the messages between them. Both accept, declaring their willingness to go even into hell for her.

Rinuccio knows the task is dangerous. As midnight approaches, he considers the possibility of being caught by the police carrying Scannadio’s body and condemned to the fire as a sorcerer. He also fears the hostility of his kin if his action becomes known. He nevertheless decides that he cannot refuse Francesca’s first request, especially when he believes that completing it will win her love.

The Tomb and the Watch

Rinuccio opens the tomb easily. Inside, Alessandro remains still, dressed as the dead man. Rinuccio mistakes him for Scannadio, takes hold of his feet, draws him out, and hoists him onto his shoulders. The dark, cloudy night makes the journey harder: he repeatedly jolts his burden against benches beside the street as he makes his way toward Francesca’s house.

Francesca is watching from a window with her maid, prepared to turn both men away. Near her door, Rinuccio encounters watch officers lying in wait for an outlaw. Hearing his approach, they bring out a light, rattle their shields and halberds, and call out. Rinuccio drops his burden and runs. Alessandro rises at once and flees too, still hampered by Scannadio’s long clothes. The watch’s arrival thus exposes the substitution and breaks up the attempted delivery before either suitor can complete Francesca’s terms.

Relationships and Outcome

Rinuccio’s defining action is a choice between self-preservation and the hope of Francesca’s favor. Though he anticipates arrest, punishment, and damage to his family’s standing, he proceeds; the story makes his willingness to risk himself visible in the physical labor of carrying Alessandro through the dark. His resolve is not enough to secure the result he wants: the interruption leaves Francesca’s condition unfulfilled, and he escapes without reaching her house with the supposed corpse.

Francesca recognizes Rinuccio and sees Alessandro dressed as Scannadio. She is amazed by the suitors’ hardihood and laughs at the sight of Alessandro cast down and then fleeing. Rather than choose either man, she returns indoors, praising God for having rid her of both and acknowledging that they appear to love her greatly. Rinuccio’s effort therefore brings him no stated romantic reward; its consequence is to demonstrate his devotion while helping Francesca end the unwanted pursuit.