In Neifile’s eighth tale (VIII, 1), Ambruogia is the wife of wealthy merchant Guasparruolo Cagastraccio. She asks Gulfardo to pay for her sexual favors, demonstrating the greediness of women who are willing to prostitute themselves for money instead of engaging in affairs for love. But he goes behind her back to bilk her out of the payment and is applauded for doing so because selling sex is condemned by The Decameron.
Get the entire The Decameron LitChart as a printable PDF.
Madonna Ambruogia Character Timeline in The Decameron
The timeline below shows where the character Madonna Ambruogia appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Day 8: First Tale
...German mercenary named Gulfardo has a reputation for loyalty and scrupulously repaying loans. He loves Madonna Ambruogia , the wife of Guasparruolo Cagastraccio, a wealthy merchant. When Gulfardo asks for Ambruogia’s “sweet...
(full context)
Gulfardo accepts Madonna Ambruogia ’s conditions, excepting a friend who will help conduct the business, and she tells him...
(full context)
While Guasparruolo Cagastraccio is away, Madonna Ambruogia frequently puts herself “at [Gulfardo’s] disposal.” When Guasparruolo returns, Gulfardo and his companion call on...
(full context)
