In order to keep from bringing shame to herself, Lusanna, .may have circulated rumors of giving birth to, and rearing, children as a form of wish fulfillment and to refute allegations that she was sterile. (Brucker 92). That is probably one reason why Giovanni found it ok to have her as a lover and secret wife but not as his official wife. Men of Renaissance Florence and centuries after that wanted children to pass things onto after death and to have a woman that could not do this was disgraceful., .he must have two reasons for marrying: the first is to perpetuate himself with children, the second is to have a faithful and steadfast companion. (Alberti 1). So, if Lusanna couldnt give Giovanni what every man must have, what use is it to marry her? She tried to make things better for Giovanni by taking the baby of a slave girl so, .his relatives would think that the child was his (Brucker 86) but this was highly illegal to claim this so the plan was not followed through.
Lusanna seemed to have quite the reputation surrounding her, and this reputation was not a good one. All throughout the trial it was brought up that she was notorious for sleeping around, she was described as .a married woman who had one lover and possibly several. (Brucker 85). This was told by neighbors of hers, people who saw her and her daily activities every day, so it was not unlikely that these allegations were true. It is not the least bit surprising that Giovanni wanted to keep his marriage to her as a secret since it was far more acceptable in the 13th century to be a lover than a cuckold. He didnt want to be like Lusannas husband Andrea where it was .testified that horns.had been nailed over the lintel of Lusannas house (Brucker 85), which was the sure sign of a cuckold. Though Lusanna may have had a reason for all the lovers even if it brought her a bad name, Her barren state may have induced her to find satisfaction in illicit relations, perhaps even to hope she might conceive a child.
