Tragic Love of Callisto and Melibea in La Celestina

The Tragic Love of Callisto and Melibea in La Celestina

Callisto's Infatuation

Callisto, deeply enamored with the noble Melibea, declares his love. Melibea, perceiving his desire as purely sexual, rejects him. Furious, Callisto returns home and confides in his servant, Sempronius. While Sempronius plays a melancholic tune on the lute, Callisto vents his frustrations. Sempronius suggests seeking the aid of Celestina, an old woman known for her cunning. Callisto agrees, and Sempronius sets out to find her.

Celestina's Intervention

Upon arriving at Celestina's home, Sempronius encounters Elicia, his lover, who quickly hides upon seeing him with another man, Crito. After greeting Sempronius, Elicia departs. Sempronius then enlists Celestina's help for his master. At Callisto's house, another servant, Pármeno, opens the door. Celestina negotiates with Pármeno, securing his cooperation in exchange for the love of Areúsa. Callisto presents Celestina with a bag of gold, and she departs with Sempronius to fulfill his master's wishes. Celestina concocts a potion for Melibea. Upon reaching Melibea's home, Lucrecia, Melibea's servant, opens the door. Celestina engages Melibea in conversation and convinces her to help Callisto.

A Tangled Web

Celestina retrieves Sempronius from his house. Along the way, Pármeno observes them and informs Callisto. Celestina recounts to Callisto the risks she took and presents him with a cord from Melibea. Celestina and Pármeno return to her home, where she introduces him to Areúsa. The next morning, Pármeno and Sempronius visit Celestina for a meal. Lucrecia arrives and escorts Melibea to Celestina's house. Melibea discusses her plans to meet Callisto at midnight. Celestina informs Callisto of the arrangement, which he initially believes to be a dream. At midnight, Callisto meets Melibea, and they agree to meet again the following night. Sempronius and Pármeno demand their share of the reward from Celestina. When she refuses, claiming to have nothing, Sempronius stabs her. They attempt to escape through a window but fall to their deaths.

Tragic Consequences

Callisto awakens, certain that the previous night was not a dream, and searches for his servants. A boy informs him of their execution in the plaza. That night, Callisto meets Melibea as planned. Afterward, while assisting his companions in a fight, Callisto falls from a ladder and dies. Melibea, overcome with grief, climbs to her rooftop, laments her sorrow, and leaps to her death. Melibea's father discovers her lifeless body and brings her to his wife, who weeps inconsolably. They prepare her funeral alongside Callisto's.