A Cure for the Heart: Gillette's Clever Conquest

The 9th story of Day 3 from "The Decameron" is about a woman named Gillette who uses her smarts and determination to win over her husband, Count Bertrand, even though he didn’t want to be with her at first. What I liked about the story is how it shows that women can be strong and think of ways to fix things, even when the odds are against them. The main point is that this tale highlights how being resourceful and not giving up can really pay off. It’s a fun and smart story that still makes sense today.

As the summary for this tale, the daughter of a physician who serves in the household of the Count of Roussillon, named Gilette of Narbonne, really likes Bertrand, the count’s son. But he doesn’t feel the same. Gilette ends up curing the king’s illness with her medical skills, and as a reward, she asks to marry Bertrand. The king agrees, but Bertrand isn’t happy and runs away to another place. Gilette follows him and uses a creative trick. She takes the place of a woman Bertrand likes and ends up sleeping with him without him knowing it’s her. She gets pregnant with his kids, and when she proves it, Bertrand finally accepts her as his wife. In the end, they live happily together.

The story is about Gillette of Narbonne, a smart and determined woman who wants to win over Count Bertrand, a nobleman. The main message is that being quick-witted and sticking with something can help you overcome problems, even when things look tough. Gillette shows that being patient and using your smarts can get you what you want, especially in relationships. It also teaches that real value isn’t just about status or looks but about who you truly are.

 The important characters are Gillette and Count Bertrand. Gillette is the one who makes things happen because she loves Bertrand and works hard to be with him. Bertrand is proud and doesn’t want to marry her at first, but Gillette’s sharp thinking changes his mind. She even tricks him by pretending to be someone else so he keeps his promise without knowing it. Their story shows how determination and wise thinking can change someone’s mind and break social rules.

 Boccaccio uses some cool writing tricks in the story, like irony and disguise. Gillette’s disguise as another woman is a big part of the story, and it is funny how Bertrand doesn’t realize he’s been fooled by the woman he thought was someone else. The irony is strong because Bertrand tries to avoid marrying her, but he ends up having to accept her anyway. These tricks keep the story exciting and show how brains can win over pride and stubbornness.

This story reflects how people thought about marriage, class, and women’s roles back in the 14th century. Back then, women were usually expected to just listen and obey, but Gillette does the opposite by taking control of her fate. It also shows that being born rich or noble isn’t everything. Today, this story still makes sense because it’s about standing up for yourself and using your skills to get what you want, which is something many people can relate to now.

What stood out to me in this tale, was how smart and determined Gillette was. I liked how she didn’t give up, even when things got tough, and found a creative way to make things work out. It was fun to read because it showed that even back then, women could be strong and think ahead. I also liked how the story had a mix of humor and surprise. Overall, I enjoyed it because it was interesting and not something I expected.

Lastly, this tale still matters today because it shows how being smart and determined can help you get through tough situations. Gillette’s story proves that even when things seem unfair, you can still find a way to make things work. It also shows that love and respect shouldn’t be one-sided, they should be earned. Even if the story is old, the lesson about not giving up and standing up for yourself still makes sense today. It’s a good reminder that thinking differently can lead to something good.