45 Questions
Who narrates the Prologue of the play?
Machevill
What does Barabas discover about his ships in Act I?
They have safely docked in Malta
Why does Barabas's daughter, Abigail, pretend to convert to Christianity?
To enter the convent
Why does the governor Ferneze confiscate Barabas's wealth?
To pay tribute to the Turks
Who convinces Ferneze to break his alliance with the Turks?
Del Bosco
How does Barabas plan to seek revenge after his wealth is confiscated?
By plotting a series of deadly schemes
What information does Lodowick hear about Abigail from his friend Mathias?
Her great beauty
Who does Barabas use to exact revenge on Ferneze?
Mathias
What is the name of the slave Barabas buys who hates Christians as much as he does?
Ithamore
How does Abigail plan to evade her father's wrath towards the end of the story?
By joining a convent
Who frames Jacomo for a crime involving murder?
Ithamore
What role does Ithamore play in the deaths of Bellamira, Pilia-Borza, and Barabas?
He poisons them with a flower
Who confesses Barabas's crimes to Ferneze, leading to Barabas being sent for?
Ithamore
What is Barabas's plan when he invites Calymath to a feast at his home?
To free Malta from Turkish rule and kill Calymath in exchange for money
What happens when Calymath arrives at the feast at Barabas's home?
Ferneze prevents Barabas from killing Calymath
What dominates the play as it grows to consume Barabas?
Vengeance and Retribution
How does Barabas avoid capture for a long period of time?
Through anticipation of people's moves and motives
What does the heavily ironic tone of the play suggest about man's motives?
Man is solely driven by his own motives
What does Barabas threaten to repay Ithamore with, despite the slave's loyalty?
With betrayal and treachery
How does the theme of vengeance contribute to the theatricality of the play?
It contributes to the stagy feel and self-referential theatricality
What overarching theme in the play challenges the traditional ideas of good and evil?
Machiavellian strategy
How do the Catholic priests behave in terms of religious morals in the play?
They deceive each other for money
In what way does Ferneze secure Malta's freedom according to the text?
By using Machiavellian strategies against Barabas
What does Marlowe suggest about the characters' trust in religion from the Prologue of the play?
Religion is a childish toy
What is unique about the struggle between characters in the play compared to traditional good versus evil battles?
Characters engage in Machiavellian tactics for power
What does Barabas emphasize about deception in the play?
Deceiving strategically can help achieve political ends.
What quality makes Barabas stand out as a strategist according to the text?
His ability to deceive convincingly without remorse.
How do the priests Bernardine and Jacomo differ from Barabas in terms of dissimulation?
They pretend to have good intentions but are after personal gain.
What key difference does Marlowe highlight between Barabas and other characters regarding deception?
Barabas views deception as a necessary strategy, unlike other characters who see it as immoral.
How does Barabas's stance on deception compare to the traditional ideas of good and evil in the play?
Barabas's deceptions challenge traditional ideas of good and evil.
How does Barabas use biblical allusions in the play?
To mock and undermine the seriousness of events
What purpose do proverbs serve in the play regarding Ithamore's character?
To bridge the world of the stage and the audience
What does Marlowe imply through Pilia-Borza's proverbial statement 'Hodie tibi, cras mihi'?
The predictability of fate
How do allusions and proverbs contribute to the cultural dialogue in the play?
By bridging the gulf between theater and real life
What does Marlowe's use of biblical and classical allusions add to the understanding of the play's setting?
It provides insight into contemporary Elizabethan England
What motivates Barabas to seek revenge against Ferneze?
His desire for power and control
How does Abigail's conversion to Christianity impact the play?
It highlights the theme of religious hypocrisy
What makes Barabas an outsider within Maltese society?
His Jewish heritage and cunning nature
How does Barabas differ from other characters in terms of honesty about his crimes?
He is generally honest about his motivations
What drives many of Barabas's murders according to the text?
Motiveless hate
What trait is shared by Barabas and Ithamore?
Love for money
Who falls victim to Barabas's plot, leading to the first innocent death in the play?
Don Mathias
What flaw does Marlowe imply about Friar Jacomo?
Lust for money
How does Barabas use Bellamira and Pilia-Borza to his advantage?
He frames them for a crime
Who convinces Ferneze to change his alliance in return for Spanish protection?
Martin del Bosco
Study Notes
The Play's Prologue
- The play's narrator is Machiavel, a character from Niccolò Machiavelli's works.
Barabas's Wealth and Ships
- Barabas discovers that his ships have arrived safely in Malta.
- Governor Ferneze confiscates Barabas's wealth, citing a new law that requires Jews to surrender half of their goods.
Abigail's Conversion and Ferneze's Alliance
- Abigail, Barabas's daughter, pretends to convert to Christianity to access her father's wealth.
- Martin del Bosco, the Spanish ambassador, convinces Ferneze to break his alliance with the Turks.
Barabas's Revenge
- Barabas plans to seek revenge by using his wealth and resources to destroy his enemies.
- He uses Ithamore, a slave, to exact revenge on Ferneze.
Ithamore and Abigail
- Ithamore is a slave who hates Christians as much as Barabas does.
- Lodowick hears from his friend Mathias that Abigail is living in a convent.
Plot Twists and Deaths
- Barabas frames Jacomo for a crime involving murder.
- Ithamore plays a role in the deaths of Bellamira, Pilia-Borza, and Barabas.
- Friar Barnardine confesses Barabas's crimes to Ferneze, leading to Barabas being sent for.
Barabas's Plans and Motivations
- Barabas plans to repay Ithamore with gold and jewels for his loyalty.
- Barabas's plan when he invites Calymath to a feast at his home is to trap and kill him.
- Calymath arrives at the feast and is trapped by Barabas's plan.
Themes and Tone
- The play's heavily ironic tone suggests that man's motives are driven by self-interest and greed.
- The theme of vengeance contributes to the theatricality of the play.
- The overarching theme of the play challenges traditional ideas of good and evil.
- The play suggests that characters' trust in religion is flawed.
Characters and Deception
- Barabas emphasizes the importance of deception in the play.
- Barabas stands out as a strategist due to his ability to deceive and manipulate others.
- The priests Bernardine and Jacomo differ from Barabas in their use of dissimulation.
- Barabas's stance on deception contrasts with traditional ideas of good and evil.
Cultural Dialogue and Allusions
- Biblical allusions are used throughout the play to add context and meaning.
- Proverbs serve a purpose in the play, particularly in regards to Ithamore's character.
- Marlowe implies through Pilia-Borza's proverbial statement 'Hodie tibi, cras mihi' that life is uncertain and fleeting.
- Allusions and proverbs contribute to the cultural dialogue in the play, highlighting the themes of deception and revenge.
Barabas's Character
- Barabas seeks revenge against Ferneze due to the confiscation of his wealth.
- Barabas is an outsider within Maltese society due to his Jewish faith.
- Barabas differs from other characters in his honesty about his crimes.
- Many of Barabas's murders are driven by his desire for revenge and wealth.
Test your knowledge on Act I of 'The Jew of Malta', a play by Christopher Marlowe. Explore the opening scenes involving the character Barabas and his interactions with other characters in Malta.
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