The Decameron · Chapter
The First Story explained
Master Ciappelletto, a notoriously wicked man, dupes a holy friar with a false confession on his deathbed, and after his death is mistakenly revered as a saint, illustrating how God may honor the purity of a suppliant's intent despite the u
What happens
Master Ciappelletto, a notoriously wicked man, dupes a holy friar with a false confession on his deathbed, and after his death is mistakenly revered as a saint, illustrating how God may honor the purity of a suppliant's intent despite the unworthiness of the intercessor.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- 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
- Religion and Hypocrisy
Master Ciappelletto's false confession and the friar's gullibility highlight the hypocrisy and superficiality of religious practices.
- The Power of Storytelling
The story demonstrates how narrative can shape perception, as Ciappelletto's fabricated confession leads to his veneration as a saint.
Characters to notice
- Master Ciappelletto
The central figure of the story, a wicked scrivener who falsely confesses to a friar and dies, later being mistaken for a saint.
- Dioneo
The narrator of the first story, who introduces the tale of Master Ciappelletto.
Key passages
“It is a seemly thing, dearest ladies, that whatsoever a man doth, he give it beginning from the holy and admirable name of Him who is the maker of all things.”
It is proper, dear ladies, that every action should begin with the holy name of God, the creator of all.
Dioneo opens the story by emphasizing the importance of beginning with God's name.
“Master Ciappelletto dupeth a holy friar with a false confession and dieth; and having been in his lifetime the worst of men, he is, after his death, reputed a saint and called Saint Ciappelletto.”
Master Ciappelletto deceives a friar with a fake confession and dies; though he was the worst of men, after death he is considered a saint.
Summary of the plot: a wicked man's false confession leads to his mistaken sainthood.
