Pilia-Borza Character Analysis in The Jew of Malta

Pilia-Borza is a local thief and Bellamira’s partner. Pilia-Borza breaks into Barabas’s counting-house and steals a bag of silver coins, and he is determined to get back in and take Barabas’s huge stash of gold. Bellamira and Pilia-Borza scheme together to exploit Ithamore and blackmail Barabas for his money, and they easily convince Ithamore to go along with them. Like many of Marlowe’s characters, Pilia-Borza is exceedingly greedy, and he goes back to Barabas several times to demand more gold. Pilia-Borza and Bellamira decide to turn Barabas and Ithamore into Ferneze, hoping the governor will give them a financial award for turning in his son, Lodowick’s murder; however, both Pilia-Borza and Bellamira die after Barabas poisons them with a tainted flower, before they have the chance to convince Ferneze and collect their reward. Like Bellamira, Pilia-Borza embodies greed and Machiavellian scheming, which Marlowe suggests are common human traits.

Pilia-Borza Character Timeline in The Jew of Malta

The timeline below shows where the character Pilia-Borza appears in The Jew of Malta. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...“chaste” “against [her] will,” but she is certain that her beauty will not fail her. Pilia-Borza, a thief who often works with Bellamira, enters and hands her a bag of money.... (full context)

Pilia-Borza sees Ithamore approach and tells Bellamira not to look at the slave. Bellamira and Pilia-Borza... (full context)

Bellamira and Pilia-Borza enter, and Bellamira asks if he delivered the letter to Ithamore. Pilia-Borza confirms he did,... (full context)

...checking on a ship and says he must go, but Bellamira begs him to stay. Pilia-Borza reminds Ithamore that Bellamira loves him, and Ithamore says he would give all Barabas’s wealth... (full context)

Pilia-Borza says Ithamore can give Bellamira all Barabas’s wealth, but Ithamore assures him it is impossible—Barabas... (full context)

Pilia-Borza tells Ithamore to ask for at least 100 crowns, and he further tells Ithamore to... (full context)

Pilia-Borza soon returns. He says that Barabas embraced him after reading the letter, and then Barabas... (full context)

...is to blame, and now he must slit Ithamore’s throat as well. Even worse is Pilia-Borza, a worthless slave, with his mangled hands and “some fingers cut quite off.” As Barabas... (full context)

Barabas asks Pilia-Borza why Ithamore does not come himself. If Ithamore asks Barabas, Barabas will gladly give him... (full context)

Pilia-Borza immediately knows that Barabas is referring to the theft in his counting-house, but Pilia-Borza doesn’t... (full context)

Pilia-Borza tells Barabas that he is all talk and no gold, so Barabas reluctantly gives him... (full context)

Pilia-Borza enters with Bellamira and Ithamore. The three are drinking and celebrating, and Bellamira and Ithamore... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

Pilia-Borza suggests they send another letter to Barabas with the French musician and demand more gold,... (full context)

...the Turks have come, and they will take Malta or die trying. Suddenly, Bellamira and Pilia-Borza enter, asking to speak to the governor. Ferneze turns them away, calling Bellamira a lowly... (full context)

...before a judge. Ferneze agrees, and as the officers drag away Barabas, Ithamore, Bellamira, and Pilia-Borza, Barabas prays that his poison will soon take effect. (full context)

...in jail, awaiting trial. Suddenly, and officer bursts in and tells Ferneze that Ithamore, Bellamira, Pilia-Borza, and Barabas are dead. Ferneze is shocked, and Bosco notes how suspicious the timing is.... (full context)