Wit Over Looks: A Humorous Lesson in Friendship and Humility

This story from The Decameron, narrated by Panfilo, is a humorous but insightful story on friendship, appearance, and self-consciousness. Although the characters are not presentably good-looking, they exhibit smartness and quick wit. The story reminds us not to judge other people based on how they appear because we can also be judged similarly.

In the tale, two men—Forese, a clever lawyer, and Giotto, a brilliant artist—encounter each other on a journey. Both are riding ugly horses and dressed in old, tattered garments. When rain begins to fall, they stop under a friend's roof but continue on toward Florence, borrowing garments from their host. As soon as the rain ceases, Forese guffaws at Giotto and tells him he is too hideous to be a world-renowned artist. Giotto swiftly retorts that Forese also appears too rough to be a learned man. They both burst into laughter, finding that they appear similarly bad.

An essential literary component in this story is irony. Both men are admirable in their professions, but they don't exactly look like what others may expect. The joke is in their witty insults and the way they flip the punchline on one another. Rather than being angry, they agree with the truth and laugh about it. This indicates that the story is not merely about appearance, but also about honesty and not being too self-serious.

The characters are also well developed. Giotto and Forese are both intelligent and self-assured. They can tease each other without offending because they are friends. Giotto's quick comeback indicates his clever mind. Forese, rather than getting offended, gets the joke and laughs as well. This indicates their respect for one another and how humor can be used to make friendship stronger.

The moral of this story is that appearances can be deceptive. Because one may look poor or odd, it does not mean they are not clever or cleverer than others. It also teaches us that everyone can be made fun of, including the person who believes he is superior to others. The story promotes modesty and demonstrates the magic of good humor.

Personally, I liked this tale due to the witty sparring between Giotto and Forese. It was brief, uncomplicated, and amusing, yet with a greater message. The fact that two great men could make jokes about themselves made them more likable and human. The way they met the challenge demonstrated maturity and friendship.

In summary, The Decameron: Sixth Day, Fifth Tale remains relevant today because it conveys a lesson that most people tend to forget: do not judge a person based on their appearance. It also instructs us to remain humble, make fun of ourselves, and appreciate authentic friendship over appearance. Such a timeless lesson is why the tale remains significant.