Summary
The tale unfolds with Macilente, a disillusioned man disheartened by society's inequities, retreating to the tranquility of the countryside. There, his reverie under a tree is interrupted by a conversation between Sogliardo, a rich but naive young farmer, and Carlo Buffone, a sardonic cynic. Buffone, whom Sogliardo has chosen as his mentor in the art of gentlemanliness, instructs the eager but foolish Sogliardo with a mixture of derision and indifference, much to Macilente’s discomfort. As they part ways, Buffone informs Macilente of their destination: Puntarvolo’s home.
Avarice and Ambition
Remaining in his spot, Macilente overhears Sordido, a miserly farmer, as he consults his almanac, longing for rain to inflate the value of his stored grain. A farmhand interrupts with a note, an order mandating Sordido to take his grain to market. Dismissing the order, Sordido vows to conceal his surplus, revealing his deep-seated greed.
Welcome to Puntarvolo’s
In front of Puntarvolo’s residence, Buffone and Sogliardo engage with Sir Fastidious Brisk, a boastful courtier. They witness Puntarvolo's grand return from hunting, complete with a theatrical homecoming of his own creation. Puntarvolo, embodying the role of an eccentric old knight, inquires about himself and listens to lavish praises from his wife and her attendants. The scene is a colorful spectacle of courtship and chivalry. Meanwhile, Sordido’s son, Fungoso, admires Brisk's style and asks Sogliardo to procure money from his father under the guise of needing law books, but intends to spend it on fashionable attire. Reluctantly, Sordido complies, albeit grudgingly.
Puntarvolo's Wager
Announcing a bold wager, Puntarvolo bets five thousand pounds that he, his wife, and their dog can travel to Constantinople and back unscathed. Buffone sees comedic potential in this venture, while Brisk considers investing a hundred pounds. Fungoso, captivated by Brisk’s manners, is delighted to learn that his brother-in-law, Deliro, has business ties with Brisk.
Matters of the Heart
The next day, Macilente advises Deliro to moderate his excessive devotion to his wife, Fallace, which only fuels her discontent. Fungoso, in his new clothes, visits Deliro’s home and borrows money from Fallace to complete his ensemble. Yet, upon receiving the funds, he is disheartened to see Brisk arrive in a new suit, prompting him to request more money from his father. Meanwhile, Brisk boasts of imaginary court victories and plans to mortgage his land with Deliro. Fallace, disenchanted with her husband, admires Brisk and dreams of courtly sophistication.
Shifting Alliances
Buffone, with Puntarvolo in tow, seeks out retainers for the newly arrived Sogliardo. Puntarvolo, explaining his wife’s withdrawal from the Constantinople trip, amusingly announces that a cat will replace her. Brisk, in another move, offers to take Macilente to court if he dresses suitably, while Macilente aims to unearth Brisk’s true reputation at court. Fungoso, obsessed with fashion, scrutinizes Brisk’s attire. Sogliardo, eager for refinement, hires the boastful but unreliable Shift.
Desperation and Revelation
Good weather, contrary to Sordido’s desires, pushes him to despair and a failed suicide attempt, thwarted by neighboring farmers. This incident reveals to Sordido his own moral bankruptcy, prompting a vow to become a benevolent neighbor.
Fashion Faux Pas
Dressed freshly, Brisk and Macilente appear at court where Macilente observes the superficial interactions between Brisk and the court lady Saviolina. Amused, he watches Saviolina scold Brisk for his smoking habit. Meanwhile, Fallace, enamored with Brisk, ignores Deliro’s attempts to please her. When Macilente divulges Brisk's foolishness, Deliro decides to foreclose on Brisk, but is halted by Fallace’s intervention.
Missed Connections
Brisk is meant to meet at a notary’s to invest in Puntarvolo’s venture, but delays. Deliro, having second thoughts, decides against foreclosing and disavows Macilente for...
(This entire section contains 893 words.)
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urging realism in his marriage. Sogliardo remains infatuated with Shift, unaware of his deceit. Eventually, Brisk shows at the notary’s with claims of courtly distraction, while Fungoso fails to catch him in time.
Plans and Plots
Puntarvolo prepares for his journey, accompanied only by his dog and cat. Sogliardo, under Buffone and Brisk’s influence, resolves to become a courtier, oblivious to their mockery. Fungoso, trapped in a cycle of fashion pursuit, laments as Brisk unveils yet another new outfit.
Unraveling at the Palace
At the palace, Puntarvolo entrusts his dog to a surly groom. Macilente, seizing an opportunity, poisons the canine. Brisk and Puntarvolo present Sogliardo to Saviolina, claiming he enjoys playing a rustic fool. Saviolina, initially convinced of Sogliardo's hidden nobility, is appalled upon realizing his true nature. Accusing Shift of the dog’s disappearance, Puntarvolo confronts him, leading Shift to admit his cowardice, much to Sogliardo’s disillusionment.
Resolution at the Tavern
At the Mitre Tavern, Buffone laments the follies of court life. Teased for his losses, Puntarvolo seals Buffone’s mouth with wax in anger. A police raid ensues, and Brisk is apprehended while Fungoso pays for the group's indulgences. Macilente sees a chance to cure Deliro and Fallace’s obsessions. He sends Deliro to settle the tavern bill and Fallace to comfort Brisk in jail. Deliro, paying the tab, awakens Fungoso to the futility of fashion quests. He then goes to free Brisk, realizing it might mend his marriage. At the jail, Deliro witnesses Fallace’s infatuation with Brisk, leading to a startling realization. Brisk is condemned to repay his debts, returning clarity to all involved, each cured of their foolish pursuits.