Page 28 - Petru Russo | The 100 Days of Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio

The Good Man and the Inquisitor
This novella from The Decameron critiques the corruption of
religious authority and extols the courage of reason and truth.
Set in Paris, it tells the story of Giannotto di Civigni, a virtuous
merchant falsely accused of heresy by the corrupt inquisitor,
Master Simone.
Giannotto, a devout man of faith and reason, believed in
questioning the Church’s teachings while remaining steadfast in
his belief in God. When he arrives in Paris, his free-thinking nature
draws the ire of Master Simone, a ruthless figure who uses his
position for personal gain. On charges of heresy, Giannotto is
arrested and subjected to harsh treatment.
Despite being tortured, Giannotto refuses to confess to false
accusations. He endures his imprisonment with unwavering
faith, praying for divine assistance. In a moment of divine grace,
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Giannotto receives a vision of angels assuring his release. His hope
reignites, and the next day, as foretold, he is unexpectedly freed
from captivity.
Determined to confront injustice, Giannotto goes to the Church to
face Master Simone. He questions the inquisitor’s moral authority,
exposing his hypocrisy. Giannotto’s calm yet powerful words shame
Simone, who, unable to justify his actions, responds with anger and
threats. Giannotto remains unshaken, asserting his commitment to
seeking truth and challenging blind faith.
This powerful encounter underscores the story’s moral: blind
faith can lead to corruption and oppression, while reason and the
courage to question authority are vital to true belief. Giannotto’s
victory is not only a testament to personal integrity but also a
critique of the Church’s failures to uphold its teachings.
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