Is love is the overarching theme of The Decameron? Why?

Lust, not love, is a major theme in The Decameron. Nearly every deception in The Decameron is motivated by lust. While no woman is taken against her will, there is an alarming amount of coercion and adultery that takes place. Friends and lovers betray one another to gain the affections of another. Relationships are ruined and people die so that a man can possess a woman that for some reason he cannot resist.

One of the best examples of coercion and captivity revolves around Alatiel, the daughter of the Sultan of Babylon. Alatiel starts off across the sea to meet the King of Algarve to whom she will be a virgin bride. Fortune has other plans for Alatiel and for many years, the girl meets with one incredible mishap after another. Alatiel bewitches every man she meets, ends up in bed with most of them, and is continually passed around like a bottle among winos. Alatiel seems to be accepting of this and falls for one man after another. Finally, the man who treats her the best and truly loves her finds that he is dying and takes Alatiel to the King of Cyprus so that she will be cared for after he is gone. The King of Cyprus has only good intentions and recognizing Alatiel, returns her to her family who thought she had been killed at sea.

The funniest story involving lust is the tale of Alibech, a fourteen year old girl who sets off to seek the pleasures of serving God. Fortunately for Alibech, the first two holy men she encounters are strong enough to send her away should lust get the better of them. Rustico, the monk who takes her in, is convinced that his willpower is stronger than lust. Rustico is wrong. Lust causes the monk to deceive Alibech and Rustico convinces the girl that "putting the Devil back into hell" is the best way to serve God. Rustico's plan backfires when Alibech's lust outshines his own and the monk can no longer perform.