Fernando de Rojas's "Celestina" (Week One)

1.    Before the interpretation of the garden in Act One is assessed, one must first analyze the reasoning for Calisto's arrival to this place. The plot reveals that Calisto enters a garden in pursuit of his falcon and finds Melibea there. My first thought questioned Rojas use of a falcon. What does a falcon represent? In my research I discovered that the falcon is a symbol of liberty, freedom, and victory. It also symbolizes hope to all those who are in bondage whether: moral, emotional, or spiritual.
       With all this in mind, it's clear that before Calisto's encounter with Melibea, he was a free man, one not yet in bondage to the prison of love.
       As the plot develops, we see young Calisto adventuring into a garden. What does this garden represent? Well, it is found throughout literature that gardens are thought of as an image of the soul and innocence. They are commonly considered feminine and represent fertility. Gardens are used to create peace between people.
       In the case of Melibea's garden, it can be interpreted that the garden signifies her "self," the object of desire that traps Calisto into the prison of being "in love" with her.
       Upon first interaction, first sight, Calisto is struck with one of Cupid's treacherous arrows. Like all victims, an expression of admired beauty, faithful loyalty, and desire to suffer has been released to the beloved. However, the beloved in this work has no interest in what she describes as "illicit love." Calisto is immediately rejected, thus the pain of the embraced suffering settles in. The poison begins to spread.
       Melibea's reaction seems harsh an uncalled for but what would push her to this point?
"...The intent of your words, Calisto, has been what would be expected from the wit of a man like you, but your words will be wasted against the virtue of a woman like me. Be gone fool, for my patience cannot tolerate that illicit love I perceive in your heart should sing out its delights."
       With her response, Melibea characterizes herself as virtuous and impatient to the unlawfulness of the "love at first sight" concept. One would suggest that Melibea's eyes are open and not clouded by the desires of love. She shuts down the very process of the love cycle but ignites it by her rejection. Melibea has ignited Calisto's desire. He now wants what he cannot have. And given the role that Melibea is given throughout the work, this was not done out of trickery but out of genuine heart.
       It is necessary to keep the finer details of this scene in the front of the mind in order for other act's plots to be understood and assessed.