48 pages 1 hour read

Fernando de Rojas

Celestina

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1499

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Celestina by Fernando de Rojas follows Calisto, a young man who falls deeply in love with Melibea, who does not return his affections. Calisto enlists the help of Celestina, a procuress and manipulator, to gain Melibea's love, aided by his unscrupulous servants. Celestina uses a spell to make Melibea fall in love with Calisto, leading to a sequence of tragic events involving greed, deception, and untimely deaths. The text involves themes of manipulation, romantic obsession, and tragedy.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Fernando de Rojas's Celestina is praised for its complex character development and rich exploration of human desires and societal norms. Critics commend its innovative blending of tragedy and comedy, which was groundbreaking for its time. However, some find the intricate, lengthy dialogues cumbersome. Overall, this work remains a pivotal piece of Spanish literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Celestina?

A reader who enjoys Celestina by Fernando de Rojas would likely appreciate dark humor, tragicomedy, and intricate character studies. Fans of Shakespearean drama, such as Romeo and Juliet, or lovers of Machiavellian narratives like Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince, may find this work particularly engaging.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

NP0L

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction