La Celestina

La Celestina (often used as the title, synecdoche after a character of the same name), actually called Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea or Comedia de Calisto y Melibea, in English Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea and the old prostitute Celestina), is a work composed entirely in dialogue published by Fernando de Rojas in 1499. Rojas, a descendant of converted Jews, practiced law and, later in life, served as an alderman of Talavera de la Reina, an important commercial center near Toledo.

The book is considered to be one of the greatest works of Spanish literature, and traditionally marks the end of medieval literature and the beginning of the literary renaissance in Spain. Although usually considered a novel, it is written as a continuous concatenation of dialogues leading to interpretations of the work as a play. Indeed, directors have attempted to represent the Celestina on stage several times, although the length and complexity of the dialogues makes it practically impossible to represent as a film.

In the 15th century, the book was said to have been written as a criticism of the servants of the low nobility, advising us to beware their tricks and lies. However, it becomes a bitter critique against human nature and its miseries. The story tells of Calisto, who falls in love with Melibea, who at first seems to be a flawless courtly love, but as the drama advances, Calisto's true intentions turn out to be not so pure. Following the machinations of Celestina, their love has a tragic end after an accident in which Calisto dies in a fall. On seeing this, Melibea subsequently decides to jump from a tower to her death. The name Celestina has become synonymous with procuress—especially an old woman—dedicated to promoting the illegal engagement of a couple; and the literary archetype of this character (her masculine counterpart is Pandarus).