Ambrogiuolo Character Analysis in The Decameron

Ambrogiuolo appears in Filomena’s second tale (II, 9). He is a merchant from Piacenza who “proves” that Zinerva isn’t as good as Bernabò thinks by sneaking into her bedroom, stealing some of her belongings, and claiming she gave them to him as lover’s gifts. Cheating when he realizes he can’t seduce Zinerva shows his unscrupulous character, as does his continuing to claim that he did seduce her seven years later. Zinerva takes advantage of his greed to lure him to Alexandria, where she reveals his actions, and he is punished with a fittingly awful death.

Ambrogiuolo Character Timeline in The Decameron

The timeline below shows where the character Ambrogiuolo appears in The Decameron. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

A young merchant named Ambrogiuolo, laughs at Bernabò and asks who gave him such an unnaturally good wife. He is... (full context)

...those who truly want to guard their honor (like his wife) are stronger than men. Ambrogiuolo questions how anyone would know, since horns don’t actually sprout on adulterers’ heads. He boasts... (full context)

In Genoa, Ambrogiuolo learns (to his dismay) that Zinerva is as upright as Bernabò claimed. Winning the bet... (full context)

After the old woman retrieves the chest, Ambrogiuolo hurries to Paris where he describes Zinerva’s bedroom and displays his prizes to Bernabò, who... (full context)

...Christian merchants, the Sultan sends him to the Acre trade fair, where he stumbles on Ambrogiuolo’s stall and discovers some of his stolen belongings. Ambrogiuolo, not recognizing Zinerva, explains that he... (full context)

Zinerva—still disguised as Sicurano—befriends Ambrogiuolo, convincing him to go to Alexandria with the promise of a sizeable investment. She also... (full context)

...his loss of money and honor. Zinerva, heaping shame on Bernabò for his stupidity and Ambrogiuolo for his lies, promises to reveal the lady in question if the Sultan of Alexandria... (full context)

...clothes and servants. Bernabò begs for forgiveness, which she graciously offers. Then the Sultan has Ambrogiuolo fixed to a pole, smeared with honey, and left to be devoured by insects. He... (full context)