The Decameron · Character

Dioneo

The brigata's licensed jester, exempt from the day's theme and always saved for last, where his bawdy tales land hardest.

supporting

Also known as Quoth Dioneo, Quoth

First appearance: Day the First

As a supporting figure in The Decameron, Dioneo is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as one of the three young men in the storytelling company.

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Dioneo is the youngest-feeling of the ten storytellers, a man who negotiates a special privilege: he need not follow the queen's theme and always tells the day's final tale. That license lets him push the Decameron's humor furthest — toward cuckoldry, appetite, and the body — while the others keep to love and fortune. He matters because he is the book's pressure valve, the voice that insists pleasure and laughter belong in any honest account of human life.

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See Dioneo in Day the First

Character Web

28 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Storytellers of the Frame
Moral and Romantic Adventures
Protagonist
Fidelity and Betrayal

+23 more in the full Character Web

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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…

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In the story

Dioneo appears across 38 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Proem
Mentioned as one of the three young men in the storytelling company.
The Decameron
One of the three men in the brigata, known for his witty and often licentious tales.
Day the First
Agrees to the storytelling rules and participates in the first day's tales.
Day the First Introduction
The merriest of the young men; jokes about leaving his cares behind and urges merriment.
The First Story
The narrator of the first story, who introduces the tale of Master Ciappelletto.
The Fourth Story
The storyteller of this tale, he introduces it as a diverting story about a monk's clever escape from punishment.
The Fifth Story
Told the previous story that caused the ladies to blush.
The Seventh Story
Not directly mentioned in the excerpt; however, the story is told by Filostrato, not Dioneo. No Dioneo appearance in this chapter.
The Tenth Story
Plays the lute to accompany Emilia's song.
Day the Second
A member of the brigata, known for his witty and often irreverent tales.
The Seventh Story
Not directly present; the story is told by Pamfilo.
The Tenth Story
The storyteller of this tale, who uses it to mock male stupidity and hypocrisy.
Day the Third
Member of the brigata, known for his humorous and often risqué tales.
Day the Third Introduction
Among the young men accompanying the ladies.
The Third Story
Dioneo is mentioned as part of the company, but does not actively participate in this story.
The Fourth Story
One of the storytellers, who praises the previous story and sets the stage for Pamfilo's tale.
The Eighth Story
The narrator of the story, who introduces it as a true tale of deception.
The Tenth Story
Narrates the tenth story about Alibech and Rustico.
The Tenth Story
The storyteller of this tale, who provides a lighter conclusion to the day's sorrowful themes.
Day the Fifth
Narrates the final story of the day, often with a humorous twist.
The Ninth Story
Mentioned as the last to tell a story, holding the privilege to speak last.
The Tenth Story
The storyteller of this tale, who introduces it as a humorous diversion, urging the ladies to laugh at the wife's cunning while condemning the husband's vice.
Day the Sixth
As one of the storytellers, Dioneo participates in the day's narratives.
Day the Sixth Introduction
Dioneo is called upon by the queen to judge the quarrel between Licisca and Tindaro; he promptly rules in Licisca's favor, calling Tindaro an ass.
Day the Seventh
King of the day, sets the theme of wives tricking husbands.
Day the Seventh Introduction
Governs the seventh day's discourse on women's tricks played on husbands.
The Second Story
The narrator of this story, introduced as Filostrato, who tells the tale of Peronella's trick.
The Tenth Story
Mentioned as having willed the previous day's theme, and later sings with Fiammetta.
Day the Eighth
One of the storytellers of the brigata, known for his witty and often risqué tales.
The Second Story
Not directly appearing in the story, but as a member of the brigata, he is present during the telling of this tale.
The Tenth Story
The storyteller of this tale, introducing it as a story of a greater cheat being outwitted.
Day the Ninth
A member of the brigata, known for his witty and often risqué tales.
The Tenth Story
Narrates the tenth story of the day, a comedic tale about a priest's enchantment gone wrong.
Day the Tenth
Tells the final story of the day, as is his custom, and praises the day's theme.
The Seventh Story
Not directly mentioned in excerpts, but present as part of the brigata.
The Ninth Story
The narrator of this story, speaking after Filomena's tale.
The Tenth Story
The storyteller who narrates this tale, calling it a 'monstrous folly'.
Conclusion of the Author
Referenced indirectly as one of the storytellers; the author defends the tales as recounted by the brigata.

Chapter companion notes

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