Masks of Loyalty: The Deception of Secret Lovers

— Based on the seventh tale of Day Seven, The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

Introduction: A Tale from the Past

     Long before romance and comedy films began exploring themes of love, the writers from fourteenth century were already told stories rich in wisdom, humor, and moral reflection. Among the most influential literary figures of this period was Giovanni Boccaccio, best known for his masterpiece The Decameron. This collection of one hundred tales offers a profound insight into human behavior and societal norms. One of the most intriguing narratives within this work is the "Masks of Loyalty: The Deception of Secret Lovers," from the seventh tale of Day Seven in The Decameron. This clever but thought-provoking tale focuses on the concept between betrayal and trust in marriage. Let's discover and examine how Boccaccio conveys these themes and why the tale continues to resonate with readers today.

Summary: The Deception of Secret Lovers 

     In the seventh tale of Day Seven, Lodovico, a young man, unfamiliar with love, became interested upon hearing about the beauty of Beatrice, the wife of Egano from Bologna. Driven by desire, Lodovico asked his father's permission to travel to Bologna, using another name 'Anichino.' Once he arrived, Lodovico secured employment in Egano's household and quickly earned his master's trust. Over time, Beatrice had been admired by Lodovico's charm and respectful manners. One day, after he won a chess game, Lodovico took the opportunity to reveal his true identity and confess his feelings. Beatrice, impressed by his presence, return his affection and began as secret lovers. To keep their affair hidden, she came up with a clever plan: she asked Egano who he trusted the most among his servants. When he said 'Anichino.' the lady pretend to admire his servant's loyalty. She persuaded her husband to dress up in her clothes and hide in the garden. When Lodovico arrived and saw Egano in disguise, he pretend he did not recognize him, and beated him as if he was punishing an unfaithful woman. Egano, deceived by the pretentious act, he was really convinced of both his wife's virtue and his servant's loyalty. Lodovico and Beatrice continue their secret affair, often laughing at the great success of the lady's plan and Egano's foolishness.

Literature Analysis: What Makes This Tale Interesting?

     The central theme of this tale is deception. Lodovico and Beatrice's plan demonstrates the extent to which individuals will go to pursue forbidden love. This theme involves disguise and manipulation. Other relevant themes include betrayal, societal expectations, and the cleverness of women. 

     Boccaccio enhances the tale using some literary devices. Irony is the central to the tale, which Egano praised the two important persons who deceived him. Symbolism of the garden, traditionally a place of love and truth, used here as the place for deception and betrayal, evoking another version of the biblical Eden. Satire is also evident, particularly in the depiction of Egano as a foolish husband who blindly trusts both his wife and his servant.

     The tale reflects also the social and historical contexts of fourteenth century. One of those contexts is marriage, were often arranged for political or economic reasons, with love played a less significant role in unions. Beatrice's affair suggests a lack of genuine affection in her marriage, especially on her husband. Moreover, Boccaccio challenges the period's gender norms: women were expected to be modest and obedient with their husbands. Lady Beatrice is portrayed as a bold and clever woman, a reversal of traditional female roles in the society. 

Personal Response: My Thoughts About the Tale

     Reading and analyzing the tale was both quite interesting and intellectually stimulating. I was particularly hooked by the cleverness of Beatrice and the irony of Egano's foolishness. What stood out the most was Boccaccio's wit and intelligence, creating a thought-provoking narrative of the tale. The story of the secret lovers feels modern in its portrayal of romantic deception, reminding us that such context continue to exist in a contemporary setting.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts of the Tale

     "Masks of Loyalty: The Deception of Secret Lovers," from Day Seven of The Decameron, serves as a great example of how people easily trust can be deceived by others. It illustrates that deception can come from those people closest to us, and that appearances often mask deeper truths. Whether in the fourteenth century or today, the questions it raises about love, loyalty, and deception remain relevant until now. Would you allow yourself be fooled by someone you love? And if you were, could you ever trust them again? I hope this will enlighten us, so we won't experience the same fate with Egano. Reflect on our own actions, and think twice before we put trust to anyone.