La Celestina: A Summary and Analysis

1. Callisto’s Infatuation

Callisto falls in love with Melibea at first sight in her garden. Rejected, he confides in his servant, Sempronius, who suggests enlisting the bawd Celestina. Meanwhile, Sempronius attempts to persuade Pármeno, another servant and an acquaintance of Celestina, to join their plan by promising him an affair with Areúsa, one of Celestina’s pupils.

2. Celestina’s Involvement

Celestina arrives at Callisto’s house, and Callisto gives her a hundred coins as payment. Sempronius defends the reward, but impatient Callisto sends him to urge Celestina’s action. Callisto and Pármeno continue their discussion.

3. Celestina’s Visit

Sempronius, following Callisto’s orders, chides Celestina for her delay. Celestina then proceeds to Melibea’s house. Meanwhile, Sempronius and his lover, Elicia, are at her home.

4. Celestina and Melibea

Celestina arrives at Pleberio’s (Melibea’s father) house and encounters Lucrecia, the maid. Alisa, Melibea’s mother, dismisses Lucrecia, leaving Celestina alone with Melibea, who learns the reason for her visit.

5. Celestina’s Return

Celestina talks to herself as she leaves Melibea’s house. At her own home, she finds Sempronius waiting. They head to Callisto’s house, where Pármeno opens the door for them.

6. Callisto’s Anticipation

At Callisto’s house, Celestina updates him on Melibea. Pármeno continuously taunts Celestina with nicknames despite Sempronius’s reprimands. Celestina reveals Melibea’s feelings and gives Callisto a cord belonging to Melibea. She then returns home with Pármeno.

7. Pármeno’s Alliance

Celestina attempts to reconcile Pármeno and Sempronius. Pármeno reminds Celestina of her promise regarding Areúsa. Pármeno and Sempronius go to Areúsa’s house, where Pármeno spends the night. Celestina returns home to Elicia’s scolding.

8. A New Friendship

Pármeno wakes up and leaves Areúsa. He returns to Callisto and befriends Sempronius. They go to Callisto’s house, where he is talking to himself, and then proceed to church.

9. Celestina’s Meal

Sempronius and Pármeno go to Celestina’s house. They find Areúsa and Elicia there and join them for a meal. Lucrecia arrives to summon Celestina to Melibea.

10. Melibea’s Confession

Celestina and Lucrecia walk to Melibea’s house. Inside, Melibea confesses her love for Callisto and they arrange a meeting. Celestina encounters Alisa, who is suspicious of her. Celestina defends herself.

11. Callisto’s Reward

Celestina encounters Sempronius and Pármeno on her way to inform Callisto about Melibea’s love and their planned meeting. Callisto rewards Celestina with a gold chain. Celestina returns home to Elicia, and they dine and sleep.

12. The Lovers’ Meeting and Tragedy

Callisto, Sempronius, and Pármeno arrive at Melibea’s house at midnight. The lovers meet and confess their mutual love. Callisto returns home. Melibea’s parents question her about the noises, and she claims thirst. Sempronius and Pármeno demand their share from Celestina, but she refuses, leading to a fight and her death. Elicia alerts the authorities, and Sempronius and Pármeno are imprisoned.

13. Sosia’s Grief

Sosia mourns the executions of Sempronius and Pármeno. He informs the other servants, including Tristan, who relays the news to a distraught Callisto.

14. Callisto’s Lament

Melibea is anxious about Callisto’s delay, but he eventually arrives with Sosia and Tristan. Callisto complains about the short time spent with Melibea.

15. Elicia’s Revenge

Areúsa insults Centurio, a pimp, but Elicia intervenes. She informs Areúsa of the deaths of Celestina, Sempronius, and Pármeno, and they plot revenge against Callisto and Melibea with Centurio’s help.

16. Melibea’s Deception

Pleberio and Alisa, believing Melibea is still a virgin, discuss her marriage. Melibea overhears them and sends Lucrecia to maintain her parents’ misconception.

17. Elicia’s Plan

Elicia, following Areúsa’s advice, tries to move on from the deaths. Sosia visits Areúsa and reveals the secret affair between Callisto and Melibea.

18. Centurio’s Agreement

Elicia and Areúsa convince Centurio to avenge the deaths by targeting Callisto and Melibea. Centurio reluctantly agrees.

19. Callisto’s Demise

Callisto, Tristan, and Sosia visit Melibea in her garden. Centurio’s men arrive to attack, scaring Sosia and Tristan. Callisto rushes to their aid and falls to his death. Melibea is devastated.

20. Melibea’s Suicide

Lucrecia alerts Pleberio to Melibea’s distress. Melibea feigns heart pain and asks for musical instruments. She goes to a tower with Lucrecia, confesses her affair with Callisto to her father, and jumps to her death.

21. Pleberio’s Grief

Pleberio returns to his room, weeping, and informs Alisa of Melibea’s suicide. The book concludes with a lament.