Torello appears in Panfilo’s tenth tale (X, 9), as the Italian nobleman who, along with his wife Adalieta, generously entertains Saladin when the Muslim leader is traveling through Europe in disguise. His instinctive recognition of Saladin’s noble character cements their friendship, and when he is later captured by the Saracens (the Muslim forces in the Third Crusade), he is reunited with his friend and becomes the recipient of Saladin’s legendary royal generosity.
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Torello Character Timeline in The Decameron
The timeline below shows where the character Torello appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Day 10: Ninth Tale
...own story, which shows another eminently worthy and generous friendship—the friendship of Saladin and Messer Torello of Strà. Before the Third Crusade begins, Saladin disguises himself as a merchant and takes...
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Torello rushes to his estate, sets tables for a feast in the garden, and is ready...
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Saladin and his men find Torello to be the “most agreeable, civilized, and affable gentleman” they’ve ever met. And although they...
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The next day, Torello invites Saladin to hunt, after which Saladin asks for directions to the comfortable inn in...
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After breakfast, Torello introduces Saladin to his greatest treasures: Adalieta and their two angelically beautiful children. Adalieta gives...
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As the Crusade begins, Torello, moved but undeterred by Adalieta’s tears and entreaties, prepares to leave. His only request is...
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Torello travels to Acre, where the Crusader army falls prey to a plague. Because so many...
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One day, Saladin notices the way Torello smiles and recognizes his old host. Taking him to the royal wardrobe, he asks Torello...
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Meanwhile, Adalieta believes that Torello has died, because on the day he was captured, another knight named Torello was buried,...
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In one night, Saladin’s magician can send Torello, sleeping peacefully in a bed, back to Pavia. Although he understands Torello’s desire to return...
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Torello and his bed are deposited magically in the church of San Pietro just before matins....
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After securing the treasure, Torello asks the Abbot of San Pietro to take him to the wedding feast as a...
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...up so quickly she overturns the table, runs across the room pell-mell, flings herself on Torello and clings to him for dear life. Torello, promising to give her as many embraces...
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Day 10: Tenth Tale
Dioneo, noting that Adalieta’s almost-second husband wouldn’t agree with the company’s praise of Torello, prepares to finish the day’s storytelling with a marquis whose actions were remarkably cruel, not...
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