The Decameron · Character
Calandrino
A painter so credulous his friends steal his pig, sell him invisible stones, and convince him he is pregnant — and he believes every word.
major
Also known as Quoth Calandrino, Methinketh Calandrino, the unhappy Calandrino
First appearance: The Fifth Story
As a major figure in The Decameron, Calandrino is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
A simple-witted painter who is tricked into believing he found the heliotrope stone; he beats his wife after the spell is broken.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
Calandrino is the neighborhood simpleton of Florence's painter guild, forever the butt of Bruno and Buffalmacco's elaborate practical jokes. His defining flaw is a bottomless gullibility wedded to greed: he will believe…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Calandrino sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Calandrino in The Fifth StoryCharacter Web
18 connectionsA slice of how Calandrino sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Psychological
- Romantic
- Other
Character groups
- Pranks and Gullibility
- Historical and Legendary Figures
- Love and Deception
+13 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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 readingRelationships
- Bruno
psychological · negative
Bruno constantly plays cruel pranks on the gullible Calandrino, manipulating him for… How this plays out →
- Niccolosa
romantic · ambivalent
- Buffalmacco
psychological · negative
- Bruno
psychological · negative
Bruno constantly plays cruel pranks on the gullible Calandrino, manipulating him for… How this plays out →
- Buffalmacco
psychological · negative
- Bruno
psychological · negative
Bruno constantly plays cruel pranks on the gullible Calandrino, manipulating him for… How this plays out →
- Niccolosa
romantic · ambivalent
- Niccolosa
romantic · ambivalent
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Calandrino in The Fifth StoryIn the story
Calandrino appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Calandrino unlock in the free preview.
See Calandrino in The Fifth Story