El plebérico corazón, Erasístrato y la plétora

Abstract

I propose that Rojas or another copyist misread «plethórico corazón» as «plebérico corazón» in the manuscript by Celestina's first author. As well as being based on palaeographic arguments, this proposal relies on Erasistratus' famous diagnostic of Antiochus and on his notoriety for being derided in many Galenic texts for his belief that the plethora —superabundance of fluids— was the cause of most diseases, and for recommending cures that excluded bloodletting. Calisto's words «plethórico corazón» refer to his own enamoured heart. Boasting of his unmatchable pain, he challenges Erasistratus to cure him with the same reme-dies he had applied to Antiochus successfully. Mockingly, Calisto threatens to perform a suicidal bloodletting procedure by stabbing his heart as the legendary Pyramus did.