La Celestina: Analysis of Themes, Characters and Origins

La Celestina: Authorship and Editions

Celestina is attributed to Fernando de Rojas, who claimed to have discovered the first act written by an anonymous predecessor. The work's publication history is complex: the first edition consisted of 16 acts, while a subsequent edition published three years later expanded to 21 acts. In this second version, the author justifies the extension as a means to better illustrate the characters' passions and desires.

The Plot of La Celestina

The argument of the book centers on the love between two nobles, Calisto and Melibea. Initially, Melibea does not reciprocate Calisto's feelings. Consequently, Calisto's servants, Pármeno and Sempronio, suggest he enlist the services of Celestina. Following their advice, Calisto hires Celestina, who employs various methods, including black magic, to manipulate Melibea. Once convinced, Melibea's character undergoes a dramatic transformation, leading to the work's first climax.

Themes and Literary Significance

The popular characters perish during the climax. Following the Greek principle of providing irrational outlets for emotions, the noble characters also meet their demise. The three primary themes of La Celestina are:

• Love: A distorted form of courtly love that affects all social classes.
• Fortune (Destiny): The force that dictates the lives and deaths of characters with near-Renaissance complexity.
• Death: The inevitable conclusion of the narrative.

The intricate cause-and-effect relationships contribute to the work's richness, resulting in an ambiguous tone that remains debated as either moralizing or pessimistic. Due to its length and structure, the work is often considered a "human comedy," designed to be read aloud, possessing features that bridge the gap toward the modern novel.

Medieval Drama and 15th Century Theater

Early Religious Theater

Little 15th-century theater has survived to the present day. The only significant remnant is a fragment of the 12th-century Auto de los Reyes Magos, which features religious content.

The Evolution of 15th Century Theater

The 15th century saw intense theatrical activity, with preserved texts expanding the thematic scope of representations. A key figure of this period is Juan de Enzina, who wrote both religious and secular works, notably his short Eclogues. Ultimately, the most significant work of the medieval period remains the Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea, widely known as La Celestina.