Michele Scalza
Intro
- Storyteller: Fiammetta
- Fiammetta wants to riff off Panfilo's mention of the Baronci family in the last story by telling a tale that demonstrates their great nobility. It also conveniently fits the theme for the day.
Story
- Fiammetta recalls a young man named Michele Scalza who was considered the life of the party—all the guys in Florence wanted to have him around.
- One day, Michele and his friends get into a friendly argument about which of the Florentine families was the oldest and most noble.
- Of course, Michele feels he has the answer: the Baronci.
- The others think he's insane, but he offers a wager that he's right. If he can prove his claim, the loser has to buy supper for him and six friends.
- They appoint their host, Piero di Fiorentino, as judge.
- Michele explains his logic: 1) The oldest family is therefore the most noble; 2) The members of the Baronci family are the ugliest people on the face of the planet; 3) They're so ugly that it's clear they're God's first clumsy attempts in designing people, so they're the oldest family; 4) Ergo, they are the noblest.
- How can you argue with that? Piero judges that Michele must be right, so he wins the supper and the laughter of everyone present.
- Shmoop hopes you are beginning to appreciate the 14th-century sense of humor.