The Celestina: A Play That Changed Medieval Spanish Literature


By Harrington A Lackey

In 1499, an anonymous 16-act play was published in the Spanish town of Burgos that influenced the flourishing of the Spanish language and literature. Known as the La Comedia of Calisto and Melibea, it became widely popular. As a result, other editions were published in the next three years. A second edition came off the press in 1500, and a third edition was printed in 1502. In this 1502 edition, readers could put a name to the author - Fernando de Rojas, who added five more acts with an introduction and concluding material. The title was then changed to the La Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea, but this masterpiece later became known simply as La Celestina - the name of the cunning and seducing protagonist.

Celestina is an elderly woman who has lived a life of sin and vice. Known for cosmetics, sex, prostitution, murder, corruption, envy, betrayal, recycled virgins and money, it's no wonder she is the star of the work. She engages the reader as a "go-between" for Calisto, a young nobleman who has lost his mind, lovesick for haughty Melibea, also a young woman from a noble family. Two prominent characters are Sempronio and Parmeno, bother servants of Calisto. Sempronio secretly schemes to make money off of her helping Calisto arrange a meeting with Melibea. To do that, she entices Melibea to fall in love with Calisto. Parmeno does not trust Celestina but ultimately decides to work with Sempronio to obtain money from the old woman's services. However, all the two receive are two prostitutes who "work" at Celestina's home - Elicia and Are�sa. Sempronio and Parmeno never get what they truly want which is Celestina's money, and this begins a chain of tragic plots that concludes with the deaths of the five main characters.

Not much is known about the author. Fernando de Rojas was born circa 1470 and died circa 1540. He was a law student at the University of Salamanca when he wrote La Celestina. As far as scholars know Rojas did not write any other literary works. He became a successful lawyer and later mayor of a Spanish town where he lived for three decades. But, Rojas was born into a family of "conversos" - Jews who converted to Christianity. He grew up during a time in Spain when the Inquisition tried and tortured and converted Jews into becoming Christians.

Rojas was extremely well educated. His library not only included books about law, but many other books about the works of ancient Roman and Greek writers, plus many medieval and Renaissance Italian writers, novels of chivalry, sentimental novels, poetry. This is evident since he incorporates so many references and quotes from such classical sources that abound in this work.

Rojas' only literature was a big contribution to Spanish culture that is considered the Golden Age of Spain which marked the end of the medieval period and the beginning of the Renaissance. He was a true humanist because of his references to the classics were stimulated by the philosophy of secularism, the appreciation of worldly pleasures, and above all intensified the assertion of personal independence and individual expression.

From Loving Each Other to Loathing Each Other to Loving Each Other Again


By Steve Wickham

Did Paul and Barnabas ever reconcile? Such a sharp disagreement they had, having ministered together as dear friends for many years previously. It seems Paul would not trust John Mark, yet Barnabas (being a son-of-encouragement) urged Paul to give him a second chance. It created an impasse and neither man was prepared to budge.

It happens.

It's like the relationship of intimacy enjoyed for a decade and more that fractures overnight.

It happens. Incredibly... tragically... for both, as well as for those connected to both.

Situations like this, we don't even realise are possible, until they happen to us. We scarcely believe it would be possible that close friends, even blood-kin at times, could fall out over some individual issue. Overnight we're grieved by something we never saw coming, and by a truth we're no longer na�ve about. We wake the following day greyer but wiser. And yet something dies inside us; faith in the strength of relationships diminishes. None of us are beyond betraying or being betrayed.

We begin to see relationships as the brittle things they are, obviously so conditional on both parties choosing to love the other.

We begin to see that relationships are contingent on the last minute's love - like the sportsperson, the relationship is only as strong as the form showed in the 'last game'.

Like all basic lessons of life, the challenge cast forth toward us is to keep our heart open for the friend who's become something of an enemy; they ought not be seen that way, but it's hard. An even more important challenge is to not judge friends who seem to have sided with the other person; that's hard. The principal challenge is to understand that none of our (theirs or ours) right-fighting is righteousness to God. That we're both wrong. When we want to see we're right and they're wrong, this is hardest.

True hearts hold out hope for the miracle of reconciliation. Both must be contrite, however, to desire and achieve it. Both must acknowledge their hurt and own it, and have empathy for the hurt the other feels, taking responsibility for the hurt they each caused. This requires humility and maturity in both.

It is the best experience of life to reconcile a broken relationship with a loved one or best friend. It takes a big heart to believe for it and hold onto that dream. Such a heart is a beautiful perpetual prayer.

Steve Wickham holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. Steve writes at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com.au/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com.au/

Boldly Beautiful Summer Bohemian Fashion


By Era Chandok

Bohemian women's dresses made from recycled sari silk are designed to make a statement with forever-stylish silhouettes. The silk dresses can make you look and feel sexy, uniquely printed upcycled sari dresses make you stand out in a crowd. Vivid bohemian tribal and floral patterns are for the adventurously bold. Be dress obsessed or possess one versatile piece, the 2 in 1 silk skirt dress that flirts against your body while taking a romantic stroll on the beach.

This season's boho statement can be a printed silk halter top and ruffled skirt with leather beaded flip-flops for a totally bohemian girl child look. Boho tiered full-length maxi skirts create a lasting impact when paired with the mala bead necklaces. Cute casual day dresses, fitted and flared at the hips are perfect for an outing with friends or traveling and going from inside holiday cottages to beach parties. Explore cotton embroidered tunics and midi dresses that are great for mixing and matching, the spaghetti strap sari dresses bring out the best in you.

Kimono maxi dresses lend the perfect touch of bohemian elegance with effortless casual style for a sun-filled beach day or a spring wedding. The summer sherbet flowy, floral strapless sari layered dresses that barely touches your ankles, pairs with a denim jacket and sandals for an upbeat combination. Kimono sleeve long kaftan dresses in digital prints and soft georgette flatter the silhouettes for every outing.

Spring and summer are incomplete without floral colorful dresses. Mid-length and fitted dresses in vivid hand printed cotton with a waistcoat to shapeless loose and extra short, bohemian printed dresses, each carries their own style and make you feel cool and pretty regardless of the weather. Floral dresses in dusty colors and soft hues, and zig-zag cuts elegantly drapes your body. Extra long maxi, high low dresses to wrap skirts with layered and ruffled bottoms, there is so much to choose from.

Skirts with a bohemian spirit, mix and match styles, wrap around sarongs to gypsy flared skirts, casual chic or urban fashionista? Endless options in colors and styles, unusual prints, unique boldly colored flared gypsy skirt with a neutral top, accessorize at the waist with a cute belt. Try the divided skirts with chunky heels with a crop top for the daring you. Perfect for your vacation because they go with all kinds of tops. Crinkled rayon maxi or tie-dye midis, toss a pixie top and create an entirely quintessential wardrobe for the bohemian fashionista.

Bohemian clothing, maxi dresses, wrap around, gypsy skirts, kimono kaftan dresses, summer fashion, beach fashionista, recycled silk, conscious living at http://www.mogulinterior.com

5 Benefits of Buying a Customized Wedding Dress


By Leo Eigenberg

Many brides will say a customized dress is so much more appealing than to simply limit the options to what is available in the bridal store. The customized dress has plenty of practical benefits. Perfect fit and individuality are likely to be the most appealing reasons to invest the extra time and money into having this type of dress made. Let's take a look at a few of the key benefits.

Fitting

A wedding dress bought off the rack will often need adjustments. However, the customized dress is made to precisely match your size and shape to give the best fit possible. Also, with the regular visits to the dressmaker for fittings, the bride will have the excitement of seeing the dress created from the initial design to completion.

Be unique

The customized dress is certain to appeal to the bride in search of a look that is truly unique or bold. Instead of going with the traditional colors of white or ivory, the unique look can be achieved with a dress in a vibrant color like scarlet red, soft blue, emerald green or pink.

Accentuate features

The custom dress is made to match the exact shape of the bride's body shape, so there shouldn't be any problem with creating a look that fully brings out the best features. For instance, a bride with a triangle-shaped body can benefit from a dress that will highlight the waistline and widen the shoulder area. An apple-shaped body can benefit from a dress that helps to visually elongate, an hourglass-shaped body will look better when balance is given to both the upper and lower parts of the body, and the rectangle-shaped body will look better when it is possible to visually make the bust bigger and hide a wide waistline.

Buy local

The process of having a customized dress made from scratch means it will be necessary to have plenty of in-person meetings with the designer. This will typically mean that a dress is bought locally, which can help to support the trade in your local area.

Create an heirloom

A one of a kind wedding dress can make a wonderful heirloom that can be passed to children in the future. It will create a great piece of nostalgia that will help to remember a wonderful event from the past. Alternatively, there is the option of selling the dress on if there aren't any loved ones that would be interested in receiving it.

Discover more about the options to    design your dress to created the unique look for a special event or occasion.

Treating Bleeding Gums


By Anna Bird

One morning you're brushing your teeth and notice some red coloring in the toothpaste you just spat into the sink. You become alarmed, knowing that when there's blood, something isn't right.

You also don't want to jump to conclusions, assuming the worst-case scenario that you have gum disease.

Before making an appointment with your dental office, here are some ways to treat your bleeding gums:

Look at Your Flossing Habits

Do you floss every day? Do you go in between each tooth or do you do a quick floss of the areas you can easily reach?

If your flossing routine has been inconsistent, non-existent or improperly done, your gums can bleed when you do decide to take flossing seriously, meticulous getting down deep between each tooth every day. Your gums are not used to the trauma of flossing and will bleed.

Your gums should, however, stop bleeding after a few days of thorough flossing.

Ease Up on the Brushing

If you're thinking that the harder and faster your brush your teeth and gums, the cleaner they will be, you're inadvertently making them more prone to injury, disease and infection. When you brush your teeth too vigorously you scrape off and weaken teeth enamel and irritate and scratch delicate gum tissue.

When you scratch gum tissue, it will bleed to ward off infection.

Brushing harder and faster isn't better. Try brushing more gently in a circular motion and avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth and gums.

Watch Your Diet

Your oral hygiene routine can be flawless, but a poor diet can sabotage your immaculate oral care.

A diet packed with sugars and simple carbohydrates, such as starches, is not only detrimental to the health of your teeth, but can also lower the health of your gums.

Plaque from sugars and broken-down carbohydrates can weaken gum tissue, making it more vulnerable to gum disease.

Take Inventory of Your Equipment

A flawless oral hygiene routine is pointless if you don't have the right oral care equipment. For good oral hygiene, you need a soft-bristled toothbrush that is less than three months old, fluoride toothpaste, dental floss and mouthwash.

If you've had your toothbrush longer than three months, you're not cleaning your mouth, you're re-introducing germs and bacteria back into the mouth.

Fluoride toothpaste is highly recommended for strengthening tooth enamel and reducing your risk of getting tooth decay and gum disease.

With not dental floss, you can't floss, which is important in preventing gum disease and tooth decay.

Mouthwash is optional, but it provides an extra layer of clean that removes plaque or bacteria you may have missed from flossing and brushing.

If after you've tried changing your brushing habits and eating habits, your gums continue to bleed or their condition worsens with redness and inflammation, it is time to set up an appointment with your dentist as it is likely you have gum disease.

Fast, proactive treatment of gum disease is key is preventing it from progressing to the more serious periodontal disease.

There are many things that cause bleeding gums. These range from a too aggressive oral hygiene routine, such as brushing the teeth too fast or applying too much pressure, to the beginning stages of gum disease.

Bleeding gums are not normal and should be looked by a dental professional so prompt, appropriate treatment can be commenced.

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