The Jew of Malta: Act 4, Scene 2 Summary & Analysis

Bellamira and Pilia-Borza enter, and Bellamira asks if he delivered the letter to Ithamore. Pilia-Borza confirms he did, and she asks if he thinks Ithamore will come. Pilia-Borza thinks so, but he can’t be sure, and he adds that Ithamore is a fool if he ignores a woman as beautiful as Bellamira. She asks where Pilia-Borza met Ithamore, and he says he found Ithamore down by the gallows, where he was watching a friar hang.

Ithamore enters, talking about Jacomo’s death. The friar was unexpectedly calm during the execution, and after his prayers, he practically jumped off the platform, his arms spread like a bird. A strange man with a mustache gave Ithamore a letter from the beautiful Bellamira, but Ithamore can’t imagine what she sees in him, a lowly slave. She claims to love him, but as Ithamore approaches her house, he says that he is “not worthy to look upon her.”

As Ithamore approaches, Bellamira warmly welcomes him, calling him her “sweet love.” Ithamore is suddenly worried about the way he looks and if he is clean enough, so he plans to steal some money from Barabas to get cleaned up and buy new clothes. Ithamore quickly makes an excuse about 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 for Bellamira, calling her “Allamira.” 

Pilia-Borza says Ithamore can give Bellamira all Barabas’s wealth, but Ithamore assures him it is impossible—Barabas buries his wealth in an unknown location. Upon hearing this news, Bellamira and Pilia-Borza engage in a short aside. “What shall we do with this base villain then?” she asks Pilia-Borza. He tells her to be patient and follow his lead. Pilia-Borza asks if Ithamore knows any “secrets” about Barabas—the kind that can be especially damaging. Ithamore says he does and immediately asks for a pen. He will write Barabas and demand half his wealth for Ithamore’s silence.

Pilia-Borza tells Ithamore to ask for at least 100 crowns, and he further tells Ithamore to act menacing. Ithamore begins. “Sirrah Barabas,” he writes. Pilia-Borza interrupts and tells him to ask for 200 crowns. Ithamore writes and orders Barabas to send him 300 crowns (plus 100 crowns for the messenger, Pilia-Borza), or he will expose Barabas’s crimes. He signs the letter, and Pilia-Borza exits to deliver it. Alone with Bellamira, she asks Ithamore to “lie in her lap” and promises to marry him.

Pilia-Borza soon returns. He says that Barabas embraced him after reading the letter, and then Barabas “laughed and jeered.” Barabas said he loved Pilia-Borza and that Ithamore was a “faithful servant,” and then he gave Pilia-Borza 10 crowns. Ithamore is shocked. Pilia-Borza tells him to write again and ask for 500 crowns. Ithamore quickly pens the letter, and Pilia-Borza again exits to deliver it. Alone again, Ithamore gives Bellamira the 10 crowns. She tosses the money aside and kisses him.