Analysis of La Celestina by Fernando de Rojas
La Celestina by Fernando de Rojas: An In-depth Analysis
Argument
La Celestina tells the story of Calisto, a young nobleman who falls deeply in love with Melibea. Rejected by her, he seeks the help of Celestina, a cunning and manipulative old woman, to win Melibea’s affection. Celestina succeeds, but her greed leads to her demise at the hands of Calisto’s servants. The tragic chain of events continues with the deaths of the servants, Calisto, and finally, Melibea, who commits suicide after losing her beloved. The play concludes with the lamentations and moral reflections of Pleberio, Melibea’s father.
Structure
Despite its seemingly simple plot, La Celestina is a complex and lengthy work. This is achieved through the deliberate pacing of the action, allowing for in-depth character development and a realistic portrayal of the environment. The intricate intertwining of cause and effect, ultimately leading to tragedy, mirrors the complexities of life itself.
The central theme driving the plot is tragic love, contrasted with the motif of death. Act XII marks a crucial turning point where love and death intersect: Calisto and Melibea’s first encounter coincides with Celestina’s death. From this point onward, death becomes the dominant force.
The play’s structure can be divided into two parts. The first part, leading up to Act XII, depicts the rising action as Calisto overcomes various obstacles to unite with Melibea. The second part, starting with Celestina’s murder in Act XII, shows a downward spiral of events culminating in the deaths of the main characters.
Characters
Celestina
Celestina, the eponymous character, dominates the play. She is a complex and well-developed figure, embodying both human and demonic traits. Her existence is made possible by the vices and moral decay of urban society. Driven by greed, she manipulates others and exploits their passions for her own gain. Celestina is a master of deception, using witchcraft, cunning, and her vast experience to achieve her goals.
Despite her morally reprehensible actions, Celestina possesses a certain professional pride and sees love as a natural force. She justifies her behavior through her philosophy of love and a desire to relive the passions of her youth.
Calisto
Calisto, a young nobleman, is portrayed as passionate but lacking in strength and determination. He is easily infatuated and completely consumed by his love for Melibea. His blind passion and insecurity make him vulnerable to manipulation by Celestina and his servants. Calisto’s selfishness is evident in his disregard for the consequences of his actions and his indifference to the suffering of others.
Melibea
Melibea initially appears as a stereotypical beauty, conforming to the Renaissance ideal. However, her personality reveals a strong and independent woman who actively pursues her desires. She defies societal expectations and parental authority, choosing to follow her passion for Calisto. Melibea’s transformation from initial rejection to passionate surrender is a testament to her powerful individuality and determination.
Parents of Melibea
Alisa and Pleberio, Melibea’s parents, represent a typical bourgeois couple. They are proud of their daughter and overly confident in her innocence. Their blind trust and adherence to social conventions contribute to the tragic events that unfold. Alisa’s authoritarian and ignorant nature, along with Pleberio’s concern for economic security and rhetorical pronouncements, highlight the parental failures that contribute to Melibea’s downfall.
Servants and Prostitutes
The servants of Calisto and Celestina’s pupils, including Pármeno, Sempronio, Elicia, and Areúsa, represent the lower social strata of urban society. Their inclusion in the play reflects the social crisis of the 15th century and the growing resentment between social classes. These characters are not merely subservient figures but have their own desires, ambitions, and conflicts. They are driven by self-interest and a desire to improve their social standing, often at the expense of their masters.
Genre
The genre of La Celestina has been a subject of debate. Its length and unique use of time have led some to categorize it as a dramatic novel or novel in dialogue. However, the play’s structure and dramatic elements firmly place it within the realm of drama. It is considered a humanistic comedy, a genre inspired by Petrarch, characterized by simple plots, lengthy development, and an interest in lower social classes.
Intentionality and Meaning
Fernando de Rojas claimed that he wrote La Celestina as a moral cautionary tale against the dangers of love, flattery, deceitful servants, and wicked women. However, some interpretations suggest that this was a facade to conceal the play’s pessimistic and irreligious undertones. Recent scholarship, influenced by Marcel Bataillon, has revived the view that La Celestina was intended as a morality play. The richness and complexity of the work allow for multiple interpretations, making it difficult to definitively determine the author’s true intentions.
Language and Style
La Celestina reflects the linguistic diversity of its time, blending medieval and Renaissance elements with both cultured and popular language. The elevated style, characterized by Latinisms and complex sentence structures, is juxtaposed with a lively and expressive popular language rich in proverbs and colloquialisms. The use of different language registers is not strictly determined by social class but varies depending on the speaker and the subject matter.
The play’s dialogue is skillfully crafted, serving multiple purposes. Monologues and asides provide insights into the characters’ thoughts and motivations, while dramatic dialogues and orations contribute to the play’s overall structure and meaning.
Influence of La Celestina
La Celestina has had a profound and lasting impact on Spanish literature and beyond. It inspired numerous sequels and adaptations, including Feliciano de Silva’s Segunda Celestina and Lope de Vega’s La Dorotea. Its influence can also be seen in the picaresque novel and the works of other major Spanish writers. The play has been translated into various languages and adapted for film and stage.
Celestina, as a character, has become an archetype of the manipulative and unscrupulous intermediary in love affairs. Her enduring presence in literature and art, along with the play’s linguistic contributions, testifies to the lasting legacy of La Celestina.