Grisóstomo was the son of a rich man that grew up in a village. He attended the University of Salamanca where he gained wisdom and knowledge. He was famous in his village for understanding astrology and helping the village plan successful crops. Grisóstomo was very rich because when his father died he left Grisóstomo a large inheritance. This inheritance brought Grisóstomo even more fame because he was very kind to the community and shared his wealth when someone needed him to. Grisóstomo was also revered for being extremely honest. The village was very shocked when they learned that Grisóstomo had gone into the wild to be a shepherd, until they realized that he had fallen in love with the beautiful Marcela. He followed Marcela all over the countryside, but she would not love him back. This unrequited love is what is said to have killed him and caused him to want to be buried in the fields. His scholar friends made sure that his final wishes were carried out and the body of Grisóstomo was buried in the fields beside the rock where he first saw his unrequited lover, Marcela.
Grisóstomo’s actions are uncharacteristic of the time period. Men did not marry for love, or give up their material possessions for women. His actions may even seem romantic and something that a woman would be interested in, yet Marcela took no interest. She wanted to be an independent woman and Grisóstomo could not understand her wishes. While he appeared to be the perfect man that would do anything for his neighbors, he could not bring himself to respect Marcela’s wishes to be left alone. Grisóstomo died for love, placing the blame of his death in Marcela’s hands. He did nothing in his life after he met her that was not for her. He was a selfish man because he could not think of someone else’s feelings, he could only think of his own.
Grisóstomo’s actions are uncharacteristic of the time period. Men did not marry for love, or give up their material possessions for women. His actions may even seem romantic and something that a woman would be interested in, yet Marcela took no interest. She wanted to be an independent woman and Grisóstomo could not understand her wishes. While he appeared to be the perfect man that would do anything for his neighbors, he could not bring himself to respect Marcela’s wishes to be left alone. Grisóstomo died for love, placing the blame of his death in Marcela’s hands. He did nothing in his life after he met her that was not for her. He was a selfish man because he could not think of someone else’s feelings, he could only think of his own.