How we cite our quotes: (Day.Story.Page)
Quote #1
However, the One who is infinite decreed by immutable law that all earthly things should come to an end. And it pleased Him that this love of mine, whose warmth exceeded all others, and which had stood firm and unyielding against all the pressures of good intention, helpful advice, and the risk of danger and open scandal, should in the course of time diminish of its own accord.' (Prologue, 1. Boccaccio explaining how he found a way out of his passion and why he wants to offer help to others)
In the immortal words of the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want." Nobody knows this better than Boccaccio, who claims to be writing his book to pay forward the kindness done for him when he thought his life was ending over a disappointed love. GB's friends may have helped him weather the storm, but ultimately it was God who was in control.
Quote #2
'See how Fortune favours us right from the beginning, in setting before us three young men of courage and intelligence, who will readily act as our guides and servants if we are not too proud to accept them for such duties' (I.Introduction.18, Pampinea speaking).
Fortuna, the fickle agent of God who determines the twists and turns of men's lives, plays a vital role in many of the stories in The Decameron (Day 2 is entirely devoted to these narratives). Fortune is often depicted in art as a well-dressed woman who has her hand on an ever-turning wheel. On this wheel are seated, in various postures of comfort or discomfort, men and women who are turned about on the whim of Fortune herself. So when you see "Fortune" appearing in the text with a capital "F", know that we're talking about the divine entity, not just a random karmic influence or coincidence. Right off the bat, the theme of Fortune is introduced as the gentleman show up at exactly the right time.
Quote #3
Excellent ladies, if the ways of Fortune are carefully examined, it will be seen that the more one discusses her actions, the more remains to be said. Nor is this surprising, when you pause to consider that she controls all the affairs we unthinkingly call our own, and that consequently it is she who arranges and rearranges them after her own inscrutable fashion, constantly moving them now in one direction, now in another, then back again, without following any discernible pattern. (II.3.83, Pampinea's tale of Agilulf and the Groom)
Here, Fortune becomes synonymous with Fate, the irreversible force that pulls all men to their destinies. There's also the sense of a hidden pattern that's completely indecipherable to the average person. Fortune's depicted here (and elsewhere) as wholly unpredictable and fickle (hence the depiction of Fortune as a woman, playing on the stereotype). If you accept this view of Fortune, it's pointless to be happy about your life or complain about it because things could change in an instant. Shmoop can't decide whether this worldview is reassuring ("Okay, whatever, nothing I can do about it anyway") or terrifying.