The Decameron · Chapter
Day the Fourth explained
The fourth day of storytelling begins under the rule of Filostrato, who sets a theme of tragic love stories.
What happens
The fourth day of storytelling begins under the rule of Filostrato, who sets a theme of tragic love stories. The tales often involve lovers who face cruel fates, separation, or death, highlighting the power of love and the suffering it can bring.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this story, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Lisa, a lowborn apothecary’s daughter, is cons…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Love and Desire
The central theme of the day's stories, focusing on passionate but doomed love.
- Suffering and Redemption
The tragic outcomes of love stories highlight suffering, with little redemption.
Characters to notice
- Filostrato
Ruler of the fourth day, sets the theme of tragic love.
- Ghismonda
Central figure in the first story of the day, a tragic love tale.
- Tancred
Ghismonda's father, whose actions lead to tragedy.
- Guiscardo
Ghismonda's lover, executed by Tancred.
Key passages
“Filostrato begins the day's storytelling with a tale of Ghismonda, a princess who falls in love with a commoner.”
Filostrato opens the fourth day with a story about Ghismonda, a princess who loves a man of lower status.
Sets the tragic tone for the day.
