Decameron

Notes

Boccaccio's novella about a clumsy storyteller

(Decameron, Day 6, Novella 1)

Place in the Decameron: This story is the very first one told on the Sixth Day of Boccaccio's Decameron. The Decameron features a group of ten young people sheltering in a villa outside Florence to escape the plague, telling stories over ten days. Each day has a theme set by the elected "king" or "queen" for that day. The theme for the Sixth Day, ruled by Queen Elissa, is about people who use witty remarks or prompt replies ("leggiadri motti") to extricate themselves gracefully from awkward situations or avoid danger or ridicule. Filomena is the narrator of this particular story.

The Story: The novella features Madonna Oretta, presented as a real Florentine noblewoman known for her wit and good manners. During a walk in the countryside with a party of ladies and gentlemen, one of the knights offers to entertain her on the journey. He uses a metaphor, saying he will "carry her on horseback" with one of the finest stories in the world, meaning his storytelling will make the walk feel effortless and enjoyable. Madonna Oretta accepts gladly. However, the knight proves to be an incompetent storyteller. As Calvino notes, he ruins the tale by constantly repeating himself, getting confused, mixing up names, and generally delivering it poorly ("fieramente la guastava"). Madonna Oretta finds listening to him so agonizing that she feels physically unwell ("spesse volte veniva un sudore e uno sfinimento di cuore"). Seeing that the knight is hopelessly lost in his narrative, she cleverly uses his own "horse" metaphor against him, politely saying, "Sir, this horse of yours has too hard a trot, and I pray you to set me on my feet again" ("Messer, questo vostro cavallo ha troppo duro trotto, per che io vi priego che vi piaccia di pormi a piè"). The knight, understanding her witty critique, stops the story and talks about other things instead.

Also see Six Memos for the Next Millennium#Quickness

(Calvino's Use: Calvino uses this novella in his "Quickness" memo to illustrate that storytelling is like a form of transport (the "horse") with its own necessary pace and rhythm. The clumsy knight's failure is not just in the content of the story, but critically in his delivery — his lack of rhythm and inability to match his style to the story's demands. For Calvino, Madonna Oretta's witty retort highlights the importance of "mental speed," agility, and precision in narration, showing how a failure in quickness and appropriateness of style can ruin even the best material.)