1. The ‘garden’ is thought of as an image of innocence and purity. It is also symbolic of a woman’s virginity. Melibea and Calisto exchange their feelings for one another in a garden in the opening of chapter 1. Calisto is overwhelmed by her beauty and desires her, whereas Melibea asks him why he bothers pursuing a virtuous woman like her, and scorns him “Begone, you selfish fool.” Although the garden symbolizes a woman’s virginity, and Melibea is first seen in a garden, I believe that she is a trickster, and also a harlot like Celestina. I cannot believe her to be virtuous or chaste at all, like she claims to be. In this instance, the garden is acting as an image of the Garden of Eden, where Adam is tricked by Eve. This is implying that women are tricksters.
2. Calisto and Sempronio discuss Calisto's malady. As it happens, he is truly and hopelessly love-struck by Melibea. Calisto waxes on about Melibea and her flawless charms, alternating between anger and grief. Sempronio, having no loyalty for his master as far as I can see, listens to him just to save his own skin should something befall Calisto. Meanwhile, he mocks him and Melibea under his breath. Calisto is so blinded by love he scorns God, saying that his 'god' is Melibea and there is no other. This blasphemy is something I believe no man in his right mind would say willingly, and just further proves what Rojas seems to say in the first two chapters that women are all tricksters and push men to madness.
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