La Celestina: Psychological Characterization Of Its Characters

La Celestina is a literary work surrounded by  questions . That is why it is so interesting, especially in regards to its characters. All of them present a specific psychological characterization that dresses them and makes them have an essential role in the work.

Focusing on the characters that Fernando de Rojas designed with such care and care is a traditional way of approaching this work of literature considered a tragicomedy, as stated in the article Images and Anagnórisis in La Celestina .

Generalities about the work

La Celestina is included in the dramatic genre. However, it could also be classified as a comic work with a tragic outcome. It is dialogued, without a narrator and there is only one general argument in each act. In addition, there is also room for monologues that are used so that the characters can penetrate more into their souls and that the viewers know their true nature.

For its part, a very striking element of this literary classic is the language it uses. And it is that this work appeared at a time when two very different literary movements were coexisting: the medieval world and the Renaissance. Therefore, the cultured and the popular footprint converge in this work and will determine both its language and its style.

In this way, in La Celestina we identify a language that moves between the cultured and the popular. Latinizing elements abound, but the speech of some characters is also loaded with popular elements such as worldly expressions or sayings. However, cultured and Latin expressions are usually put in the mouths of the richest characters to give them an air of greater rank.

The characters in La Celestina

In La Celestina we can find 13 characters who have a significant role in the development of the work. Although they are the lovers, Melibea and Calisto, the central axis of all this tragicomedy, the other figures that appear also have their importance.

La Celestina

La Celestina is an older person famous for getting, through certain tricks, that two people manage to be together. However, despite this help, which in this work provides Calisto so that Melibea falls in love with him, Celestina is a woman characterized by:

• He has no scruples.
• Seek only your own interest.
• It has a great capacity for persuasion.
• She is lustful.

Melibea

Melibea is one of the protagonists of La Celestina ; at first we see how Callisto is not attracted to him. The rejection so clear that it manifests is observed in a remarkable arrogance and, even, arrogance. However, after the help that Calisto receives from Celestina, the change she presents is sudden and surprising.

She goes from rejection to the most absolute surrender, where she is the one who is proactive in meeting Calisto secretly. Thus, he ends up falling into the extremism of a romantic love, a term that addresses the article The concept of love in the couple , which leads it to an unfortunate end.

Callisto

Calisto falls in love with Melibea and what moves him is not love, but getting what he wants. This makes him a selfish person who does whatever it takes (to go to Celestina) to achieve what he longs for, regardless of the consequences.

This makes him appear insecure and immature. We are talking about a young dreamer who does not handle the frustration of his expectations too well. When these are not fulfilled, it falls into crisis due to the resistance it puts up, in this case, Melibea.

Pármeno and Sempronio

Pármeno is Callisto’s servant ; its layout responds to that of a loyal character who strives to take care of his master: he warns him of the danger that placing his trust in Celestina can entail. However, this loyalty collapses because Callisto humiliates him and does not believe what he says.

Sempronio is another Callisto servant who is depicted as a liar with false intentions. Unlike Pármeno, from the beginning he takes advantage of his master trying to get as much money as possible. Saving appearances, yes.

Sosia and Tristan

Sosia and Tristán are Callisto’s faithful servants who, before, were stable boys. Sosia is presented as a person who falls blindly in love  because he falls in love with Areúsa, who manipulates him to extract information about his owner.

On the other hand, Tristan presents himself as a very attached servant who suffers greatly when Callisto dies. Both Tristan and Sosia are friends of Callisto, rather than servants. A pure friendship, with no hidden intentions.

Lucrecia

Lucrecia is Melibea’s maid and is a faithful confidant. Both of them tell each other everything that happens to them, especially in the field of love, thus feeling accompanied in their troubles and misadventures. Thanks to Lucrecia, Calisto and Melibea can see each other every night.

Lucrecia was a prostitute, but she decided to change her life and dedicate herself to serving. However, his character is the archetype of an envious person. He is jealous of his old companions and, also, of the love affairs that Melibea has with Calisto.

Elicia and Areúsa

Elicia is a prostitute from Celestina who has an impulsive, contradictory and carefree character. This character lives in the present. However, when her guardian dies she seeks revenge because she feels alone and finished.

Areúsa is another of the prostitutes of La Celestina. Contrary to Elicia, this character is characterized as independent, free and spiteful. It is very similar to Celestina, since it knows how to manipulate others. He does it with his partner, Centurio.

Centurio

Centurio lives off prostitutes, which is known today as a thug. He is characterized as a pimp, mean, somewhat lustful and liar. He often uses prostitutes to get what he wants.

Although he presents himself as a person who imposes with his presence, due to his bad character and his size, in reality that courage is only a facade. At heart, he is a cowardly character.

Pleberio and Alisa

Pleberio is Melibea’s father and he presents himself as a very old man who is always very busy. When Melibea dies, her life loses all meaning. He is a character who is very concerned about his daughter, especially because he wants her to get married.

Alisa is Melibea’s mother. She has a secondary role, since she is in the shadow of her husband. He is a rather naive character who does not distrust anyone. In fact, let Celestina into her house.

The evolution of the characters

The psychological characterization of the characters in this work by Fernando de Rojas is very diverse; however, it is what allows an evolution to be clearly perceived.

They all change. Melibea goes from rejection to the most absolute love for Calisto, Elicia goes from complete unconcern to seeking revenge for Celestina’s death. Each one has an important and fundamental role. Have you read La Celestina’s book ? Did you realize how Fernando de Rojas had psychologically characterized his characters?