The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure

Calisto emerges from the pages of the Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea as a more complex character than he initially appears. Rather than a mere stereotype of the courtly lover the contradictions and inconsistencies he manifests reveal his own insecurities. While blindly pursuing his sexual passion...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Connie L. Scarborough
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad de Valencia, Departamento de Filología Española 2021-01-01
Series:Celestinesca
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ojs.uv.es/index.php/celestinesca/article/view/20128
_version_ 1797331188650606592
author Connie L. Scarborough
author_facet Connie L. Scarborough
author_sort Connie L. Scarborough
collection DOAJ
description Calisto emerges from the pages of the Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea as a more complex character than he initially appears. Rather than a mere stereotype of the courtly lover the contradictions and inconsistencies he manifests reveal his own insecurities. While blindly pursuing his sexual passion for Melibea he fails to manage well his own household and constantly seeks the approval and help of his servants and Celestina. He even fails as the long-suffering lover when he continuously shows himself to be impatient and irritable to all around him. Calisto is the king of rhetorical excess and but shows a single lack of confidence in Celestina even though he handsomely rewards. He misuses religious belief by praying for Melibea's affections and completely misreads the motivations and character of his servants. When he does possess Melibea physically, he treats her harshly and his rhetoric is crude in contrast to his courtly speeches he offers when not in her presence. Calisto is both a tragic and comic figure and readers of the Tragicomedia witness the cruel consequences of blind obsession while also laughing at the fool in love.
first_indexed 2024-03-08T07:30:52Z
format Article
id doaj.art-2604e5131f7f40d3b2468a01217c4b08
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 0147-3085
2695-7183
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-08T07:30:52Z
publishDate 2021-01-01
publisher Universidad de Valencia, Departamento de Filología Española
record_format Article
series Celestinesca
spelling doaj.art-2604e5131f7f40d3b2468a01217c4b082024-02-02T20:29:39ZengUniversidad de Valencia, Departamento de Filología EspañolaCelestinesca0147-30852695-71832021-01-0134017920010.7203/Celestinesca.34.2012814726The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and InsecureConnie L. ScarboroughCalisto emerges from the pages of the Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea as a more complex character than he initially appears. Rather than a mere stereotype of the courtly lover the contradictions and inconsistencies he manifests reveal his own insecurities. While blindly pursuing his sexual passion for Melibea he fails to manage well his own household and constantly seeks the approval and help of his servants and Celestina. He even fails as the long-suffering lover when he continuously shows himself to be impatient and irritable to all around him. Calisto is the king of rhetorical excess and but shows a single lack of confidence in Celestina even though he handsomely rewards. He misuses religious belief by praying for Melibea's affections and completely misreads the motivations and character of his servants. When he does possess Melibea physically, he treats her harshly and his rhetoric is crude in contrast to his courtly speeches he offers when not in her presence. Calisto is both a tragic and comic figure and readers of the Tragicomedia witness the cruel consequences of blind obsession while also laughing at the fool in love.https://ojs.uv.es/index.php/celestinesca/article/view/20128celestinacalistotrágicocómicoparodiaadolescentecontradiccionesobsesión
spellingShingle Connie L. Scarborough
The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure
Celestinesca
celestina
calisto
trágico
cómico
parodia
adolescente
contradicciones
obsesión
title The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure
title_full The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure
title_fullStr The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure
title_full_unstemmed The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure
title_short The Tragic/Comic Calisto: Obsessed and Insecure
title_sort tragic comic calisto obsessed and insecure
topic celestina
calisto
trágico
cómico
parodia
adolescente
contradicciones
obsesión
url https://ojs.uv.es/index.php/celestinesca/article/view/20128
work_keys_str_mv AT connielscarborough thetragiccomiccalistoobsessedandinsecure
AT connielscarborough tragiccomiccalistoobsessedandinsecure