Montclair State’s interdisciplinary Medieval and Early Modern Studies Seminar is co-convened by the Departments of Classics and General Humanities, English, History, Philosophy, Religion, Spanish and Latino Studies, and World Languages and Cultures. The seminar brings together interested faculty and graduate students to hear about and discuss new research in medieval and early modern studies by pioneering scholars across the convening disciplines. All are warmly welcome.
Upcoming Speakers
Dr Cristina Guardiola (University of Delaware) will be presenting her research in a presentation entitled,“Sex Sells: The Rise and Fall of Celestina”
Wednesday, October 2 at 2:30pm
In person (Schmitt 104) or over Zoom
Summary: Fernando de Rojas’s masterpiece emphasizes the story’s most significant character, Celestina, who embodies the moral decadence of late 15th century Spanish society. She catalyzes the destructive elements of an aristocracy who no longer represent the ideals that justified its preeminence, and she foments the discontented elements of a servant class desirous of material wealth. As seen by the members within Celestina’s fictive society, she is a bearded old woman, a sorceress, a witch, a brothel-keeper, a mender of hymens and maker of cosmetics, a seamstress, a healer, and a reader of stones. Thirty years ago, Alan Deyermond spoke of Celestina’s connection to the proletarian world, and her interest in commerce and light industry. This talk takes up the argument and sees her personified as the spirit of an emerging merchant class.