The Jew of Malta
What is The Jew of Malta about?
The Jew of Malta (c. 1590) is Christopher Marlowe’s dark comedy about Barabas, a wealthy Maltese Jew who embarks on an escalating campaign of revenge and murder after the Christian authorities confiscate his wealth to pay tribute to the Ottoman Empire. Barabas is one of Marlowe’s most theatrical creations—a Machiavellian villain whose scheming becomes increasingly outrageous until he falls into a trap of his own devising. The play is both a savage satire on Christian hypocrisy and a virtuoso portrait of a man consumed by vengeance.
Main themes in The Jew of Malta
Religious hypocrisy
The Jew of Malta thoughtfully explores religious hypocrisy through its central conflicts.
Revenge tragedy
In The Jew of Malta, revenge tragedy provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Machiavellian villain
Machiavellian villain emerges as a defining element in The Jew of Malta, shaping character development.
Malta
In The Jew of Malta, malta provides a lens for understanding the story's core message.
Why The Jew of Malta is still relevant today
The Jew of Malta raises complex questions about religious hypocrisy and prejudice that continue to provoke discussion, while its theatrical energy makes it one of Marlowe’s most performed works. Read it free online on TextStack.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Jew of Malta about?
A wealthy Maltese Jew launches an escalating campaign of revenge after Christian authorities confiscate his wealth, in this dark comedy about hypocrisy and vengeance.
Where can I read The Jew of Malta online?
You can read The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe free online on TextStack.