Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Jew of Malta, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God and Machiavellianism
Religious Hypocrisy
Anti-Semitism
Money and Greed
Betrayal and Revenge
Summary
Analysis
Ferneze enters with Martin Del Bosco, the Vice-Admiral of Spain, along with several knights and officers. Bosco claims he has come to Malta on his ship, the Flying Dragon, by order of Spain’s “Catholic king.” Bosco and his men fought many Grecians and Moors along the way, and they came upon a Turkish fleet near Corsica and destroyed many of their ships. Bosco and his men captured one Turkish ship, killed the captain, and took the men for slaves. Now, they have come to Malta to sell the Turkish slaves at the market.
At the time Marlowe wrote The Jew of Malta, Spain was overwhelmingly Catholic, and Bosco’s mention of Spain’s “Catholic king” is meant to appeal to Ferneze and the Maltese as fellow Christians. Most of the Turks are likely Muslim, and Marlowe is subtly pointing out their religious differences.
Themes
Ferneze has heard all about Martin Del Bosco, and he warmly welcomes the Spanish men to Malta. But, Ferneze says, Malta’s agreement with the Turks prohibits the selling of Turkish slaves in Malta. Bosco is surprised that Malta is in league with the Turks. He reminds Ferneze of Rhodes, a “Christian isle” that was recently taken over by the Turks. Bosco asks Ferneze how much money Malta owes Selim-Calymath. Ferneze answers 100,000 crowns, and Bosco tells him to keep the money. The King of Spain has the title to Malta, Bosco says, and he will easily fight off the Turks. Malta will be ruled by Bosco, and he promises not to leave until Malta is safe from the Turks.
The island of Malta has been owned by several countries and groups of people throughout history, including the Arabs, Greeks, and the Italians. Here, Marlowe implies that Malta is owned by Spain, regardless of the deal Malta has with the Turks. Bosco again points out their religious differences when he says he is surprised at Malta’s deal with the Turks (the Turks are Muslim and Malta is Christian, just like the island of Rhodes). Bosco implies that the Turks will likely take Malta over anyway, so Ferneze is better off to betray their deal, keep the money, and accept Spain’s help.
Themes
Ferneze immediately agrees and tells Bosco that he may sell his Turkish slaves in Malta. Ferneze then makes Bosco the General of Malta and promises that Malta’s knights will follow him in battle against the Turks. “So will we fight it out,” Ferneze says as he exits with Bosco and the knights, adding, “Honour is bought with blood and not with gold.”
Ferneze’s decision to let Bosco sell the Turkish slaves again speaks to Ferneze’s Machiavellianism. Because it benefits him personally, he allows Bosco to sell the slaves, even though it is morally reprehensible and betrays his covenant with the Turks. Ferneze’s claim that honor is bought with blood and not gold again hints at his corruption, as he clearly has no qualms about murder.
Themes
