T H E M E S
After reading the first ten acts of celestina I have noticed a few reoccurring themes in the play. First off is the theme for the desire of approval. There are two elements to this theme. The first one is love. Obviously, we want approval from the person we love and are willing to go to great extents to get that approval. For instance, Elicia loves Sempronio and was cheating on him with Crtio. However, by displaying her anger and frustration in this way, it shows they she really desires the approval (and in this case love) of Sempronio. This love element of the approval theme can also be seen in Calisto. He falls madly in love with Melibea before he even knows her, overwhelmed by her beauty and more so overwhelmed by his desire for her approval.
The other element of this theme of approval is seen through the servants. This element is not based on love but the desire of acceptance. Parmeno is jealous of Calisto's favoritism towards Sempronio. Even though Parmeno knows Celestina and advises Calisto to stay away, he ignores Parmeno's advice and sways towards Sempronio. This is most likely a result of ignorance and lust.
Another theme I found in this play was the theme of greed. This theme is clearly evident in all of the characters. There are countless examples of greed that can be found in almost every character. Calisto is a noble and wealthy yet is always desiring more and treating his servants poorly. Although his love for Melibea is not necessarily greedy, the way he goes about managing his wealth is. There is one point where Sempronio is boasting Calisto about how generous he is to have given Celestina a hundred coins. What is ironic is that it is clear that Calisto does not give out money often, yet Sempronio is pretending to idolize how altruistic he is.
This theme can be seen directly in regards to Celestina's, Sempronio's, and Parmeno's characters. When Sempronio learns of Calisto's love for Melibea, he immediately conjures a method that he can profit and and coerce Calisto into spending money into getting his love. The same act is seen alter when Sempronio and Celestina devise their plan. What I did not expect was how quickly Parmeno threw out his dignity and pride and sold out to Celestina for chance to be with Aresua.
I look forward to finishing the play and seeing how these themes and these characters are resolved. I am curious as to see if any of the characters will be able to redeem their "flaws" before either their death or the end of the play, whichever comes first.
Another theme I found in this play was the theme of greed. This theme is clearly evident in all of the characters. There are countless examples of greed that can be found in almost every character. Calisto is a noble and wealthy yet is always desiring more and treating his servants poorly. Although his love for Melibea is not necessarily greedy, the way he goes about managing his wealth is. There is one point where Sempronio is boasting Calisto about how generous he is to have given Celestina a hundred coins. What is ironic is that it is clear that Calisto does not give out money often, yet Sempronio is pretending to idolize how altruistic he is.
This theme can be seen directly in regards to Celestina's, Sempronio's, and Parmeno's characters. When Sempronio learns of Calisto's love for Melibea, he immediately conjures a method that he can profit and and coerce Calisto into spending money into getting his love. The same act is seen alter when Sempronio and Celestina devise their plan. What I did not expect was how quickly Parmeno threw out his dignity and pride and sold out to Celestina for chance to be with Aresua.
I look forward to finishing the play and seeing how these themes and these characters are resolved. I am curious as to see if any of the characters will be able to redeem their "flaws" before either their death or the end of the play, whichever comes first.
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