The Decameron

Dioneo is crowned king for the seventh day. He chooses tricks played by women on their husbands as his theme. The other guests argue that this is not a virtuous topic but Dioneo retorts that the world outside the villa seems to be ending, adding that any reluctance to discuss such a topic may imply guilt on their part. They move to a secluded valley for the day to tell their stories in a different setting.

The first storyteller is Emilia. Monna Tessa is married to Gianni Lotteringhi, though she is having an affair with a man named Federigo after “realizing that she had a nincompoop for a husband” (764). Tessa invites Federigo to her house whenever Gianni is away. One night, however, Gianni “unexpectedly” (765) returns ahead of schedule. Federigo visits the house anyway, unaware that Gianni is home. Thinking fast, Tessa explains that the strange man at the doorway is actually “the werewolf” (766) which has been pestering her in recent times. She says a prayer to banish the creature, speaking loudly enough that Federigo can hear her mention her husband. Federigo slips away and Gianni believes his wife’s explanation. The next time they meet, Tessa and Federigo laugh at the situation.