How we cite our quotes: (Day.Story.Page)
Quote #10
At first, he lashed her with his tongue, feigning to be angry and claiming that his subjects were thoroughly disgruntled with her on account of her lowly condition, especially now that they saw her bearing children; and he said they were greatly distressed about this infant daughter of theirs, of whom they did nothing but grumble. (X.10.788, Dioneo's tale of Griselda)
Despite what we've said about Boccaccio cribbing most of his stories from other sources, the tale of Griselda appears to be an original. It so impressed other writers that it was adapted for re-use over the centuries. But why? It's really a miserable little tale about a serious case of psychological domestic abuse. Gualtieri's willing to deceive his long-suffering wife for more than a decade before he decides she's a keeper, and Dioneo praises Griselda's generous and patient behavior. So how far is too far? That question applies to both the deceiver and the deceived.