Calandrino as the Main Character in Decameron by Boccaccio - Essay Example

 Instead of doubting that story told about the heliotropes, Calandrino was too greedy to question the unlikelihood of becoming invisible to rob the banks.  If he would not have been so trusting, or too greedy, Calandrino would not have fallen for this scheme no matter how naïve or simple.

            Calandrino’s first downfall was trust.  Maso del Saggio was described as fortunate and capable of doing almost anything.  He was not in Caladrino’s circle of friends.  Generally, even naïve and simple people like Caladrino have weariness about an individual from a different class or clique.  Instead, Caladrino bought Maso del Saggio’s outlandish tale of a far-off land where there was a wine river and mozzarella mountain.  Not only did believe this story, but Calandrino believed the story of heliotropes in the Mugnone valley.  The trust in the popular acquaintance was part of what caused his downfall.

            Not only did Calandrino trust Maso del Saggio, but he placed his trust in two friends named Bruno and Buffalmacco.  This trust should have eroded away before the search for the heliotrope.  These two friends must have had many laughs at poor Calandrino’s expense if the three were friends for a long time as the story implied.  The friendship was one of two brighter friends and the scapegoat friend.  Men like to buddy up with someone that makes them feel more superior.   The two friends felt superior at Calandrino’s naivety and simple-mindedness, while Calandrino felt superior for hanging out with two smarter guys.  Whatever the reason, Calandrino misplaced his trust in these two.

            Calandrino might have had a trusting nature towards his friends, but not toward his wife.  When he reached home to have his wife see him, Calandrino figured she caused the heliotrope to quit working.  The only person to tell him the truth, the wife received a beating for her effort.  She was probably the only individual who actually cared for Calandrino enough to make plans to make him foolish.  She was not above chastising him but did not go out of her way to play a prank on him.  Still, his trusting nature did not include his wife.  This trust issue was a big part of his downfall.

The second reason for Calandrino’s downfall was his greedy nature.  Despite being naïve and simple, Calandrino wanted the riches a heliotrope would gain him.  Not only was he concerned with a heliotrope’s rarity, but he had planned on how to use the heliotrope.  His plan was to become invisible to steal from the bank tables.  Calandrino wanted money that would be illegally obtained.  Having what others have without working for it is greedy.  This greed blinded Calandrino to the truth.

His greed also prevented him from sharing with his friends.  Once Calandrino thought he had become invisible, the thought of sharing his good fortune with his friends did not cross his mind.  Thus he suffered the rock blows from his friends in silence. 
Although he invited his friends along to look for the heliotrope, Calandrino was not going to share the rock with them.  His greed was too strong.

Trusting issues and greed caused Calandrino’s downfall.  He was not the typical good-hearted fool.  Calandrino trusted easily like a fool, but he was greedy.  This makes him the perfect character for a story like this.  The reader does not feel sorry for the prank pulled on him due to his greediness and then the cruelty to his wife.  Calandrino got what he deserved.