The Jew of Malta Themes

At the center of Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta is the idea of Machiavellianism, a political philosophy based upon the writings of Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli. Since the 1532 publication of Machiavelli’s political treatise The Prince, Machiavellianism has been associated with unscrupulous scheming and godless corruption in the name of self-interest, and this idea is reflected throughout Marlowe’s play. The play’s prologue is narrated by Machevill, a ghost who calls to…

While Christopher Marlowe hints at the importance of God’s will in The Jew of Malta, his play is nevertheless critical of religion and religious doctrine, especially Christianity. Marlowe’s depiction of religion is not one of morality, good will, and righteousness. On the contrary, religion in The Jew of Malta is rife with hatred, deception, and hypocrisy. When the Turks come to Malta under the threat of war to collect the tribute money owed to…

Most of the characters in Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta are motivated in some way by money and greed. The play’s protagonist, Barabas, is described as a man “who smiles to see how full his bags are crammed,” and Marlowe implies that Barabas obtained his money through Machiavellianism (a reference to the corrupt practices of Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian diplomat from the 16th century) to satisfy his unchecked greed. Money is also central…

Betrayal is rampant in Christopher Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta. Malta’s Jewish community is betrayed by Ferneze, Malta’s governor, when he unfairly seizes their wealth to pay the tribute money owed to the Ottoman Empire. Furthermore, the play’s protagonist and Malta’s richest Jew, Barabas, betrays his fellow Jews when he fights for his own happiness and wealth while ignoring theirs. Barabas even betrays his own daughter, Abigail, and engineers a plot…