The Jew of Malta: Act 4, Scene 4 Summary & Analysis

Pilia-Borza enters with Bellamira and Ithamore. The three are drinking and celebrating, and Bellamira and Ithamore are professing their love for one another. Bellamira raises her glass and suggests they drink to Barabas, but Ithamore says he will drink to Barabas when he sends him more gold. Pilia-Borza asks what Ithamore will do if Barabas does not send the gold, but Ithamore says not to worry. He knows that Barabas is a murderer, and he will surely pay.

Bellamira is surprised and says that she did not think Barabas was brave enough to commit murder. He is, Ithamore confirms. Ithamore admits to helping Barabas kill Mathias and Lodowick without ever touching them, and he further admits to delivering the poisoned rice to Abigail and the nuns and strangling Bernardine with his belt. In a quick aside, Pilia-Borza suggests to Bellamira that they tell Ferneze, but Bellamira says they should wait and get more gold first. “Come gentle Ithamore,” Bellamira says, “lie in my lap.”

Suddenly, Barabas enters with a lute, disguised as a French musician. Bellamira immediately asks him to play. “Must tuna my lute for sound,” Barabas says, “twang twang first.” Bellamira asks Pilia-Borza to get her the posy in Barabas’s hat, and Barabas gives Pilia-Borza the flowers. Bellamira smells the flowers and hands it back to Ithamore and Pilia-Borza, who also sniff the petals. Barabas snickers in a quick aside. “I am revenged upon ‘em all,” he says quietly, “I poisoned it.” 

Pilia-Borza suggests they send another letter to Barabas with the French musician and demand more gold, but Ithamore says he is done with letters and tells the disguised Barabas to leave. Ithamore orders Pilia-Borza to tell Barabas to pay 1,000 crowns immediately. He says Pilia-Borza should mention nuns and rice or Friar Bernardine—either statement will make Barabas pay. As they exit, Ithamore says it is not a sin “to undo a Jew”—it is a “charity.”