Outwitted by Wisdom: Age, Honor, and Eloquence in the Tale of Master Alberto

Introduction

The tale of "Master Alberto of Bologna Civilly Putteth a Lady to the Blush who thought who have shamed him of being enamoured of her" from "The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio is a powerful story. It teaches us that age doesn’t take away a person’s intelligence or value, and that true wisdom often comes with experience. In the tale, an old man is mocked by a young woman for being in love, but he uses clever words to turn the joke back on her—without being rude. This story shows the importance of respect, quick thinking, and how speaking wisely can defend a person’s honor.

Summary

Master Alberto is an old but famous doctor in Bologna. Even though he is nearly seventy, he falls in love with a young and beautiful widow named Madonna Malgherida. He often walks or rides past her house just to see her. She and her friends notice this and think it’s funny that such an old man could be in love. One day, they invite him over and try to politely embarrass him by asking why he, an old man, would love a woman who is admired by many young men. Instead of getting upset, Alberto answers with a clever story about how women sometimes eat the bitter parts of a leek and throw away the sweet part—suggesting that she might be choosing lovers poorly. His words surprise the lady, and she ends up showing him respect instead of laughing at him.

Analysis

This story focuses on the theme of wisdom versus youth. At first, the lady and her friends think Alberto is too old to feel real love or to be taken seriously. They assume that passion and romance are only for the young. But Alberto proves them wrong. His calm and clever answer shows that older people still have feelings, good sense, and the ability to express themselves with grace. Boccaccio wants readers to understand that age doesn’t make someone useless—it can actually make a person wiser and more thoughtful.

Another theme is gender and power in social situations. The lady believes she has power because of her beauty and youth, and she tries to use it to embarrass Alberto. This shows how some people judge others based only on appearance or age. However, Alberto doesn’t lose his temper. Instead, he responds with a smart comparison that turns the situation around. He doesn’t insult her directly, but makes her see that she may not be as clever as she thought. 

The story also shows the importance of manners and civility. Many tales in The Decameron end with someone being laughed at or tricked in a harsh way. But this one is different. Even though Alberto is being mocked, he responds kindly and with self-control. The lady also reacts well—she doesn’t get angry but admits she was wrong and treats him with honor. Boccaccio seems to be showing that respect and calm words can solve problems better than shouting or insults.

Finally, the tale includes a social message about women’s values. In the beginning, the queen who tells the story criticizes how women of her time care more about clothes and appearance than about speaking well or acting wisely. She hopes the story will teach the ladies in her group a lesson about thinking before they speak and valuing true knowledge over looks. Through Master Alberto’s story, Boccaccio encourages people to look deeper than the surface.

Personal Response

What I liked most about this tale was how gentle but smart Master Alberto was. He didn’t let the lady’s joke hurt his pride. Instead, he stayed calm and gave an answer that made her—and the readers—respect him more. I also liked that the story wasn’t mean or cruel. It had a message, but it was shared in a kind way. The clever metaphor about leeks was surprising and funny, but also meaningful. It made me think about how people often judge others without understanding them fully.

Conclusion

The tale of Master Alberto still matters today because it reminds us that age doesn’t limit someone’s worth, and that kind, clever words can be powerful tools. In a world where people are often quick to make fun of others or argue harshly, this story shows a better way—using wisdom, respect, and humor to deal with conflict. Boccaccio’s story teaches us to think before we speak and to treat everyone with dignity, no matter their age or looks.