Natalie Johnson

Analysis #2
Giovanni and Lusanna
In Giovanni and Lusanna, by Gene Brucker he tells of a fateful love story that is broken apart by
the social status of two individuals. Giovanni did not want to continue his affair with Lusanna; he
fought to break apart from her in any way necessary. This story tells us of the traditions and obstacles
couples went through in Renaissance Florence. In Giovanni and Lusanna we discover that womens
reputation and the familys social milieus play a major role in obtaining a respectable marriage and how
the traditions of marriage consummate their union.
These days people run off to a court house or hire someone who is ordained to marry them.
There is not a public display needed to decree a marriage legitimate. In Florence, Italy however, during
the Renaissance, citizens went through many traditions or obstacles to marry. Marriages were major
family decisions. They involved the transfer of property and the realignment of social rank; they often had
political implications (The Family 28). As we can see here marriages were well thought out and often
meant there was some sort of transaction involved, whether it be a dowry, land, or a political or social
advantage.
A dowry was common during this time. Lusanna had a dowry with her first husband, Andrea.
When Benedetto arranged in November 1436 for the marriage of his daughter Lusanna to a linen-cloth
maker, Andrea Nucci, he provided her with a sizable dowry of 250 Florins (Brucker 5). When Lusanna
and Giovanni married there was no dowry. He did not fraternize with her for money or a beneficial
transaction of some kind. In Giovanni and Lusanna, it is mentioned that Giovanni did not want to
publicize their relationship beyond the lower class. Anyone they came in contact with was of a lower
social rank than him.
P a g e | 2

Social classes were prominent throughout Florence. In Florence it was common to marry within
social classes. Giovanni on the other hand tried to use his social class as dominance over Lusanna when
trying to end their relations. The disparity of social status between Giovanni and Lusanna was a critical
issue in the dispute, evoking a variety of reactions from the witnesses. The case raises important questions
about Florences social hierarchy (Brucker 3-4). Throughout this case social status is thrown around
quite often. Many of their witnesses were of their social class and ranking and questions did arise if they
were paid or perhaps persuaded in any way. If they were not of the same class, they worked for Giovanni
and as for Lusanna they were either family or friends.
Reputation also plays a big role in this case. Although many participated in aiding Giovanni and
Lusanna prior to their marriage, they were still concerned for their reputations once this reached the
courts. Specifically, in the case of the Tangali girl, Strozzi speaks of the girls father and his social
standing and reputation. Francesco Tangali has a good reputation, and he has held office, not the highest,
but still he has been in office (The Family 37). Strozzi continues to say that she saw the girl at mass
and begins to describe her features and even her demeanor. When Strozzi spoke of this family and of the
girl in question, she took into consideration the reputation of the family. Reputation stood for a lot more
then than it does now.
Giovanni knew that Lusannas family did not want a bad reputation, much like everyone in that
time period because reputation meant everything to business transactions, friendships, and potential
marriages. most Florentines were prepared to pay a heavy price to honor a blood obligation, and why
they valued their familys reputation so highly (The Family 28). Lusannas brother, Antonio did not
want their families name to be torn apart so he insisted on Giovanni marrying Lusanna. Giovanni refused
a notary for he did not want his father to discover their marriage.
Since Giovanni did not want anyone to discover this marriage in fear of his father learning of this
affair, their secret became easy to tear apart later. During this case Lusanna was made out to be a trollop
P a g e | 3

and an adulteress. Giovanni attacked Lusannas reputation. His social ranking and his influence over
those who worked for him and witnessed many situations with Giovanna and Lusanna spoke as witnesses
on his behalf. Niccolo Magaldi and his wife were often brought up during the book as witnesses, Both
Niccolo Magaldi and his wife, Giuliana, testified that horns had been nailed over the lintel of Lusannas
house and that her husband, Andrea, had been called a cuckold by one of his wifes lovers (Brucker
85). It was apparent they were being loyal to Giovanni. During the case, Lusannas procurator asked the
vicar general to warn the witnesses who testified for Giovanni of the importance of the oath and the
grave danger to body and soul for false testimony (Brucker 55). It was already a concern to be aware of
the possibilities of those who may lie to save Giovanni from social scrutiny which in return could ruin his
own reputation.
Giovanni was definitely risking social scrutiny to some extent because he admitted to having an
affair with Lusanna. As far as admitting that he married Lusanna was another story. According to
Lusanna, the Friar, and family and friends this marriage definitely took place. There may not have been a
public display of this union to the whole community, but enough people were present to prove this
marriage did take place. When Giovannis father passed away, I believe he felt the need to take care of his
family and obtain a wife with good social standing and where a suitable, public transaction can take place.
They did not follow tradition, but there were marriages that were kept secret. Antoninus said this
relationship was valid even if it was not publicized and it was without bans. Therefore, Giovanni brought
this upon himself because he engaged in a relationship with Lusanna. The relationship lasted twelve
years, that is more than just physical attraction if it lasted that long. A marriage is like a republic; it can
make you or break you. since two of these factors ---wealth and political powerwere constantly
fluctuating in this volatile society, the status of a particular family was never stable and secure (The
Patriciate 90). It was easier to see your daughter given away to someone who was going to benefit your
family rather than bring you down. In Giovannis case Lusanna was going to bring his reputation and his
social status down.
P a g e | 4

Social status and social norms/traditions played a large role in the case between Giovanni and
Lusanna. Giovanni and Lusanna seemed to have a long relationship that consisted of secrecy. Sadly, that
secrecy led to a case that was publically known to all. Giovanni must have felt as if he already led most of
his life behind closed doors, it was time to face Lusanna and move on with someone more his speed. In
Florence, many were contracting marriages, dowries, and deciding if ones social status and reputation
was sufficient or not.
In Giovanni and Lusanna, Brucker does a good job in staying neutral and true to the information
he researched. He provided us with an insight into the Florentines life and the way they deal with
marriages. Marriages were most often written about then deaths and births were because they came with a
transaction that both or one of the families benefited from. The marriage contract was a document of
supreme significance. First, it was an important financial transaction. The size of the dowry was an
indication of the economic status of the contracting parties (The Patriciate 92). Once again, marriage is
an important part of the Florentines life. In Giovanni and Lusanna we discover that womens reputation
and the familys social milieus play a major role in obtaining a respectable marriage and how the
traditions of marriage consummate their union.







P a g e | 5

WORKS CITED

Brucker, Gene. The Family. The Society of Renaissance Florence: A Documentary Study. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, 1971.
Brucker, Gene. Giovanni and Lusanna. Berkley: University of California Press, 2005.
Brucker, Gene. The Patriciate. Renaissance Florence. Berkley: University of California Press.