How we cite our quotes: (Day.Story.Page)
Quote #4
Since you are so deeply moved, tender ladies, by the recital of lovers' woes, the tale that presents itself to me must inevitably arouse as much pity among you as the previous one, for the people whose misfortunes I shall describe were of loftier rank, and their fate was altogether more cruel. (IV. 9.349, Filostrato's introduction to "The Eaten Heart")
Filostrato invokes the classical notion that tragedy only really happens to those who are socially well-placed (i.e. noble or royal). Maybe because they have farther to fall. For a better discussion of this concept, take a look at our definition of tragedy. In this case, Filostrato isn't being a snob to deny the suffering of the lower classes; he's just following Aristotle's idea that characters in a tragedy should be idealized and noble.
Quote #5
On noticing that Messer Geri passed by his door every morning with the Pope's emissaries, it occurred to Cisto that since the season was very hot he might as well do them the kindness of offering them some of his delicious white wine. But, being sensible of the difference in rank between himself and Messer Geri, he considered it would be presumptuous of him to issue an invitation and resolved to arrange matters in such a way that Messer Geri would come of his own accord. (VI.6.449)
Even though Cisti's a wealthy man who "lived like a lord", he well knows he isn't a lord. This story shows that even a man of wealth and good taste has certain rules to follow when dealing with someone of higher social rank. In the end, Messer Geri recognizes Cisti's outstanding personal qualities and befriends him despite the differences in class. This is one of the stories that demonstrates the transition between the medieval society and it's obsession with nobility, and the rising mercantile era, where cleverness and common sense are what get you ahead in life. Not all noblemen were as welcoming as Messer Geri.
Quote #6
'[...] as I am sure you will know, every man and woman should be equal before the law, and laws must have the consent of those who are affected by them. These conditions are not fulfilled in the present instance, because this law only applies to us poor women, who are much better able than men to bestow our favours liberally. Moreover, when this law was made, no woman gave her consent to it, nor was any woman even so much as consulted. It can therefore justly be described as a very bad law.' (VI.7.463, Filostrato's story of Madonna Filippa)
Props to Boccaccio for bringing forward this issue of good governance, especially since he makes the spokesperson a woman. Of course, Madonna Filippa isn't exactly a feminist—notice how she defines insatiable female sexuality as the reason that the law isn't fair. She does, however, point up the fact that women have no part in representative government and thereby no part in the creation of laws that rule their lives. Gender trumps class in these instances. Even noblewomen had no role in making laws or setting policy.