ABSTRACT
In the novel, as almost everywhere in the literature of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Italian influence is distinctly traceable in the beginning, and it continues so throughout the large class of fantastic books known as pastoral novels. In 1492 was published a book of real originality, important alike in the history of the novel and of the drama. The Celestina may also be looked on as the earliest example of the “picaresque” novel. Its popularity is proved by the innumerable editions, translations, imitations, and adaptations to which it gave rise. The origin of the pastoral novel is probably to be found in the late Greek writers, but the Spanish works of this class are inspired by, if not directly imitated from, the Arcadia of the Italian Sannazaro. Celestina undertakes the affair, and makes a hard bargain for her services.
