How we cite our quotes: (Day.Story.Page)
Quote #1
Although he was an old man approaching seventy, and the natural warmth had almost entirely departed from his body, his heart was so noble that he was not averse to welcoming the flames of love [...] He was mightily attracted by the lady, and, no differently than if he had been in the prime of his youth, he felt those flames so keenly in his mature old breast, that he never seemed able to sleep at night, unless in the course of the day he had seen the fair lady's fine and delectable features. (I.10.64, Pampinea's tale of Master Alberto)
Boccaccio's making a strong pitch here for empathy with the elderly in love. Cut them a break, he says, they feel the same urges as a young person. This is an example of B's opinion that sexual feelings are natural and universal for a person of any age, including (and especially) himself.
Quote #2
'The fact is that I am unable, in my husband's absence, to withstand the promptings of the flesh and the powers of Love, which are so irresistible that even the strongest of men, not to mention frail women like myself, have often succumbed to them in the past and will always continue to do so. Living in the lap of luxury as I do, with nothing to occupy me, I have allowed my thoughts to dwell upon the pleasures of the senses, and fallen hopelessly in love.' (II.8.150, Elissa's story of the Walter, Count of Antwerp)
Two important things that Boccaccio would like us to know about human beings in love: 1) Even women have uncontrollable sexual feelings; and 2) Idleness really is the devil's playground.
Quote #3
'And I can tell you this, that if you had given as many holidays to the workers on your estates as you gave to the one whose job it was to tend my little field, you would never have harvested a single ear of corn. But, by the merciful will of God, who took pity on my youth, I chanced upon the man with whom I share this room [...]' (II.10.183-184, Dioneo's tale of Ricciardo and Paganino)
Tending my little field—a great example of Boccaccio's use of euphemism. Bartolomea's taking her husband to task here for not stepping up to do his husbandly duty. It's a pretty common metaphor to play on the idea of husband/husbandry and to speak of reproductive activities in terms of farming and earthy fertility. Several of the tales describe frustrated wives who are forced to seek out lovers because their husbands aren't providing for their sexual satisfaction either because they're too old, too busy, or just aren't interested. And this is usually described in the stories as a pretty legitimate reason for cheating. I mean, what else are they supposed to do, right?