The Decameron

Lauretta is crowned queen for the eighth day, which takes place after two days of religious observation. She selects a similar theme to the previous day, only altering it to involve any tricks played by one person on another.

The first storyteller is Neifile. A German “soldier of fortune” (845) named Gulfardo falls in love with Ambruogia, who happens to be married to another man. Though Ambruogia is also attracted to Gulfardo, she demands that he adhere to two rules if they are to embark on an affair. She wants him to keep their affair absolutely secret and for him to pay her 200 florins. Gulfardo is “incensed by her lack of decorum” (846), particularly by the demand for payment. He decides to take revenge. To do this, he borrows 200 florins from Ambruogia’s husband, Guaspparuolo. He hands over the money to Ambruogia and then they have sex. When Guaspparuolo returns to his house, Gulfardo meets him. He tells Guaspparuolo that he has returned the borrowed 200 florins to Guaspparuolo’s wife, Ambruogia. As such, Ambruogia is forced to hand over the money to her husband. Gulfardo is pleased, “having made a fool of the lady” (848).