The Decameron · Character
Nicostratus
An aging Argive nobleman whose young wife Lydia, tired of his years, schemes to bed his trusted servant Pyrrhus right under his nose.
major
First appearance: the sixth story
As a major figure in The Decameron, Nicostratus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Nobleman of Argos, elderly husband of Lydia, who is deceived by her actions.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With Lydia (romantic): Lydia, married to Nicostratus, deceives him to carry on an affair with his servant, showing a manipulative and adulterous dynamic. With Lydia (romantic): Lydia, married to Nicostratus, deceives…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Nicostratus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Nicostratus in the sixth storyCharacter Web
7 connectionsA slice of how Nicostratus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Romantic
- Other
Character groups
- Marital Deception
- Protagonist
- Moral and Romantic Adventures
- Love and Deception
+2 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative 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…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Lydia
romantic · negative
Lydia, married to Nicostratus, deceives him to carry on an affair with his servant,… How this plays out →
- Lydia
romantic · negative
Lydia, married to Nicostratus, deceives him to carry on an affair with his servant,… How this plays out →
- Lydia
romantic · negative
Lydia, married to Nicostratus, deceives him to carry on an affair with his servant,… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Nicostratus in the sixth storyIn the story
Nicostratus 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 Nicostratus unlock in the free preview.
See Nicostratus in the sixth story