The Jew of Malta

Like much of his work, Christopher Marlowe's The Jew of Malta was meant to be controversial. Set during the struggle for power between Spain and the Ottoman Empire, the main character Barabas the Jew would have evoked mixed feelings among the audience of that era.

Fast Facts

1. Author: Christopher Marlowe
2. Setting: Malta
3. Registered: May 17, 1594
4. First Performance: Rose Theatre in 1592
5. ISBN 0486431843
6. Influenced Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice
7. Some scholars compare its balcony scene to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Synopsis

The play tells the story of Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant who plots his revenge after his wealth is confiscated by Ferneze, the governor of Malta, in order to pay tribute to the Turks. Over the course of the play Barabas pits his enemies against each other, poisons a covenant of Nuns in order to punish his daughter for converting to Christianity, and kills several other innocents. Eventually Barabas's actions catch up with him and he fakes his own death in order to escape persecution. Barabas then informs the Turkish army how best to sack Malta, and is made governor. Fearing for his life Barabas appeals to his former enemy Ferneze, promising to kill the turkish general in exchange for a large amount of money. He is betrayed by Ferneze however and is killed.

Main Characters

• Barabas the Jew: A Jewish merchant who only cares for his daughter Abigail and his vast personal fortune.
• Abigail: Barabas' daughter
• Ithamore: Barabas's slave whom is promised Barabas' money after Abigail converts to Christianity
• Ferneze: Barabas's great enemy and the governor of Malta.

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