Celestina

ACT 1  

1.To what does Calisto compare Melibea? How does she respond?

2.How is Sempronio presented?

3. What do the following lines of Calisto demonstrate?  “I'm a Melibean! I worship Melibea, I believe in Melibea! I love Melibea!"

4. Portrait of Melibea: According to Calisto, how is Melibea?

5. Compara Calisto's and Sempronio's opinion about women.  Why does Sempronio say that "she is imperfect"? What does "the Philosopher” (Aristotle) say about the "matter and form"?

6.  How does Sempronio describe Celestina?

7. How do Celestina and Elicia deceive Sempronio? Why? What is Elicia and Crito doing?

8. Explain Parmeno's commentary about the reaction that Celestina receives when they call her "an old painted whore." 

9.How does Calisto greet Celestina at their first meeting? What is Parmeno's reaction? Celestina's response to Calisto?  

10. In what way does Pármeno know Celestina? According to Pármeno, what trades does Celestina exercise?

11. How does Celestina finally convince Parmeno to collaborate with her and Sempronio? What does this reveal about her abilities? What effect does Celestina's discourse about Parmeno's mother have over him?  What is the conflict of loyalty that Parmeno feels?

ACT II

1 Why does Sempronio say that he is afraid to leave Calisto alone? What symptoms of love does Calisto show?

2. Why is Celestina necessary for the relationship that Calisto wants to establish wiith Melibea? What kind of relationship is it?

3. What does Parmeno conclude about giving good advice to Calisto?

ACT III

1. What is Sempronio's view about servants and masters? Does he believe in loyalty?  

2. What does Celestina reveal to Sempronio about her past with Parmeno?

3. What is Celestina's opinion about young women like Melibea?

4. Why does Celestina conjure Pluto?  

ACT IV

1. As Celestina walks to Melibea' house she speaks to herself. Is she confident? Fearful?

2. How does Celestina gain entry to Melibea's house and to Melibea?

3. How does Celestina convince Melibea to listen to her about Calisto? Is it magic or psychology? Why do you think Melibea reacts so angrily when Celestina first mentions Calisto's name?

General Considerations For Discussion:

1.How would you characterize love in the first act?

2. Comment on the development of the following characters: Calisto, Melibea, Sempronio, Celestina and Pármeno. Do you note any irony or criticism about courtly love or social class?

3. What is the function of the asides in the work? Provide examples of how the characters use them.

4. The description de Celestina. How and what do we learn about her? From whom?