The Decameron · Character
Madam Sismonda
A widow of sharp appetite and sharper nerve, she turns a stranded merchant's misfortune into one warm, well-argued night of her own choosing.
major
Also known as Sismonda
First appearance: the ninth story
As a major figure in The Decameron, Madam Sismonda is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The clever wife who devises the twine scheme and later substitutes another woman to escape punishment.
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Left waiting for the Marquis Azzo, who is called away before supper, Madam Sismonda finds a half-frozen Rinaldo d'Asti at her door and decides fortune has sent her a substitute. She clothes him in her dead husband's…
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See Madam Sismonda in the ninth storyNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- 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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Madam Sismonda appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Madam Sismonda unlock in the free preview.
See Madam Sismonda in the ninth story