The Decameron · Character

Lauretta

A young noblewoman of the brigata whose tales press love's claims on gentle hearts, insisting that worth, not fortune, should guide whom we reward.

supporting

Also known as Boccaccio, Lauretta Boccaccio

First appearance: Day the First

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

Mentioned as one of the seven ladies in the storytelling company.

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Lauretta belongs to the ten Florentine youths who flee plague-stricken Florence for the countryside, and she takes her turn as queen of the day. Her storytelling voice is moral without being cold: she tells of Federigo degli Alberighi, who squanders his fortune courting a lady who ignores him and ends poor but still generous. Through her, Boccaccio argues that nobility of manners outranks nobility of blood, a theme that threads through the whole collection.

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See Lauretta in Day the First

Character Web

22 connections

A slice of how Lauretta sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Storytellers of the Frame
Generosity and Envy
Marital Deception
Religious Hypocrisy
Protagonist

+17 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

Lauretta appears across 29 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Proem
Mentioned as one of the seven ladies in the storytelling company.
The Decameron
A member of the brigata who contributes tales with moral and social commentary.
Day the First
One of the seven ladies who joins the retreat and storytelling.
Day the First Introduction
Among the seven ladies; named in the list.
The Eighth Story
Narrator of the eighth story, seated next to Filostrato.
The Tenth Story
Leads a dance and sings a ballad at the queen's request.
Day the Second
A member of the brigata, contributing to the day's narratives.
The Fourth Story
The storyteller of this tale, who narrates Landolfo's adventures as part of the brigata's storytelling.
The Seventh Story
Not directly present; the story is told by Pamfilo.
The Eighth Story
The narrator of this story, who begins by discussing the frailty of men and women and the excuses for love.
Day the Third
Member of the brigata, takes part in the storytelling.
Day the Third Introduction
One of the ladies in the company.
The Tenth Story
Sings a plaintive song about love and loss at Filostrato's request.
The Fourth Story
Narrator of the preceding story; the company bewails the lovers' fate after her tale.
The Eighth Story
The storyteller who narrates this tale after being commanded by the queen.
The Ninth Story
The narrator of this story, speaking as the queen of the day's storytelling.
Day the Sixth
Lauretta is part of the group and shares in the day's tales.
Day the Sixth Introduction
Lauretta sings a canzonet with Dioneo about Troilus and Cressida during the leisure time before the storytelling.
The Third Story
Narrator of the story, who introduces the tale with a discourse on the nature of smart sayings.
The Fourth Story
One of the storytellers; she is silent after the previous story, and the queen charges Neifile to follow on.
Day the Seventh
Member of the brigata, participates in storytelling.
The Fourth Story
The storyteller of this tale, chosen by the king to narrate after Elisa's story.
The Fifth Story
Previous storyteller, whose tale prompts Fiammetta's narrative.
The Tenth Story
Crowned queen of the company at the end of the story, she sets the next day's theme on tricks between men and women.
Day the Eighth
Another storyteller among the ten, contributing to the day's narratives.
Day the Eighth Introduction
Governs the eighth day's storytelling
Day the Tenth
Participates in the storytelling and the discussion of the tales.
The Fourth Story
The storyteller of this tale, who introduces it as an act of magnanimity in love.
Conclusion of the Author
Implied as part of the audience; the author addresses 'charming ladies' collectively.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lauretta in Day the First

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