La Celestina: Structure, Plot, and Character Analysis
Classified in Religion
Written on in 
English with a size of 3.06 KB
Structure and Plot of La Celestina
La Celestina is a dialogical work (without voice-over), written in a dramatic style, likely intended to be read aloud rather than performed. The work is divided into twenty-one acts. The first act is of an anonymous author, while the rest were written by Fernando de Rojas, a convert living in Toledo.
Plot Summary
| Structure | Argument |
|---|---|
| Act I: Approach | Calisto, rejected by Melibea, expresses his despair to his servant Sempronio. Sempronio suggests using the services of Celestina, an old matchmaker. Sempronio and his partner Parmeno plan to exploit Calisto for economic gain. |
| Acts II-XVIII: Development | Celestina, through spells and persuasion, awakens Melibea's love for Calisto. The servants demand a share of the loot—a gold chain given to Celestina by Calisto. Upon her refusal, they kill her and are subsequently executed. Meanwhile, the erotic encounter between the lovers takes place. |
| Acts XIX-XXI: Outcome | Calisto is accidentally killed falling from Melibea's garden wall. Melibea commits suicide after confessing to her father, Pleberio. The play ends with Pleberio's long lament over his daughter's corpse. |
Main Characters
The Lovers
- Calisto: A moody, impatient young man whose conduct parodies the principles of courtly love; his passion for Melibea is almost entirely carnal.
- Melibea: Young and beautiful, she surrenders to erotic passion, though her suicide proves she loved Calisto with body and soul.
- Alisa and Pleberio: Melibea's parents, who remain unaware of their daughter's secret love.
The Servants
- Sempronio and Parmeno: Calisto's servants, motivated by greed. Sempronio is a confidant who despises his master. Parmeno, initially loyal, is corrupted by Celestina through the prostitute Areusa.
- Tristan and Sosia: Calisto's servants following the deaths of Sempronio and Parmeno.
The Marginal World
- Celestina: Intelligent and manipulative, she dominates the other characters. A former prostitute, she now works as a witch and bawd.
- Elicia and Areusa: Celestina's disciples and the lovers of Sempronio and Parmeno, respectively.
Key Themes
La Celestina presents a pessimistic view of a world where humans are slaves to their lust. The primary driving passions include:
- Greed: Leads to the deaths of Celestina, Sempronio, and Parmeno.
- Lust: Causes the corruption of Parmeno and the eventual death of the lovers.
None of the characters' behaviors reflect noble ideals. The work depicts a chaotic world governed by death, betrayal, and violence in personal relationships.