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Essay Name       : 1269.txt 
Uploader         : 
Email Address    : 
Language         : english
Subject          : Spanish Essays
Title            : La Celestina
Grade            : 95%
School System    : College
Country          : 
Author Comments  : 
Teacher Comments : 
Date             : 9/95
Site found at    : 
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Question 1. Analyze the role of the go-between in "La Celestina".

	
"La Tragic comedia de Calisto y Melibea" or "La Celestina" is a masterpiece of Spanish literature.  Written in 1499, and translated in English in 1631.  The time period that this play took place in is important, in understanding the role of the go-between.  The plot involves two lovers, Calisto and Melibea, who are brought together by the Celestina (the "Celestial One"), an old bawd.  Calisto is a handsome gentleman with a complex personality, he is very impulsive, and impatient.  Calisto is also part of the aristocracy and was expected to go to church.  Its not because he was religious just that it was proper for someone of his rank in society to do so.  Melibea is also of nobility and society regards her integrity so virtuous and perfect.  As Calisto states on page (6) "consider the nobleness of her blood, the great estate she is born into, the excellency of her wit, the splendor of her virtues, her stately carriage, and, lastly, her divine beauty". 
	Both Calisto and Melibea wanted to have an affair.  Calisto was not thinking of marriage because it is to constrictive to him.  He has a physical attraction to Melibea (lust) for sex or Passion.  The concept of marriage would mean asking her father for her hand and waiting an appropriate amount of time for Melibea.  Melibea realizes this strong passion Calisto has for her and is intrigued but understands she shouldn’t see him in fear of her family honor.  It is understood that if they were plebeians they wouldn’t have to fear scrutiny for their desires.  This is why Calisto hires a go-between or bawd (Celestina) because she is known for being able to persuade women and knew she could influence Melibea.  Because Melibea is nobility and must conduct herself properly to protect her family’s name, she pretends to be outraged at the mention of Calisto’s name.  Melibea realizes though he has sent Celestina because of his love for her.  Melibea mentions this on page (34) "Let me hear no more of this leaper over walls, this hobgoblin, this nightwalker!  This is he who saw me the other day and began to court me as if he had not been well in his wits.  Advise him, old woman, that the way to have his sickness leave him is to leave off loving".  In this statement Melibea inadvertently acknowledges that Calisto loves her, and wishes to be with her.
	Celestina has one weakness that will lead to her tragedy and that is greed.  Celestina knows that Calisto is generous with his money, and that Melibea and him are bound to the social rules of nobility.  Celestina uses Calisto’s servants, Sempronio and Parmeno in her plan to acquire as much as she can from Calisto.  By intermediating the relationship of Calisto and Melibea.  Celistina’s sordid transactions come to an end when Calisto’s servants want their part of the rewards.  When Celestina tries to swindle their share, Sempronio kills her and Celestina dies without confession to god for her sins.  This is worse than just death in a Christian society. 
 
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