Chapter 1 Summary

The story begins with the narrator stating that human beings are nothing without the grace of God. While man may try to embrace God's ways, he is unable to see beyond the realm of mortals and therefore unable to understand God's divine ways. Due to this fact, it is possible that man may choose an advocate who seems holy but may be destined for damnation.

Musciatto Franzesi is a famous French merchant who has many businesses and is knighted for his duty. Franzesi is summoned to Tuscany at the behest of Pope Boniface and must find a way to deal with business while he is away. Ser Ciappelletto is a notary who is often presented with the task of handling another's business as well as drawing up legal contracts. Ser Ciappelletto is the man Franzesi chooses to handle debts and trade because Ciappelletto...