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
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.
Bellamira and Pilia-Borza are scheming, too, which further illustrates how common Machiavellianism is in the world of the play and how frequently people rely on immoral tactics for personal gain. Bellamira and Pilia-Borza are clearly setting a trap for Ithamore.
Themes
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.”
This passage again brings up the idea of people’s worth. Ithamore, a mere slave, is “not worthy” of a woman as beautiful and Bellamira, which further underscores inequality in the play and in English society. Jacomo is calm during his execution, which suggests he has atoned for his sins and expects to be forgiven and go to heaven, but Marlowe implies this is doubtful.
Themes
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.”
It’s clear that Bellamira doesn’t really love Ithamore; she is simply deceiving him to get at Barabas’s money. Unable to see this, Ithamore again implies he isn’t worth as much as Bellamira and plans to steal Barabas’s money to impress her. Like Barabas, Bellamira, Pilia-Borza, and Ithamore are greedy and will go to great lengths to satisfy their desire for gold. Ithamore claims to love Bellamira and will steal for her, but he calls her “Allamira” and doesn’t even know her well enough to know her correct name.
Themes
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.
This passage reflects more Machiavellian scheming. Pilia-Borza asks Ithamore if he knows any “secrets” about Barabas because he is looking to blackmail Barabas and extort his fortune for their silence. Ithamore agrees immediately, which speaks to his own wickedness and capacity for Machiavellianism.
Themes
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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.
“Sirrah” is a derogatory term used during the 16th century to denote someone of low social status. Ithamore’s use of “Sirrah” is likely a slight against Barabas’s Jewish religion, but it is also ironic: as a slave, Ithamore himself would have been referred to as “Sirrah.” Bellamira’s invitation for Barabas to “lie in her lap” is vaguely sexual and implies she is using sex to ensure her scheming and win Ithamore’s affection.
Themes
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.
Barabas “laugh[s] and jeer[s]” when he reads the letter because he is happy that Ithamore has betrayed him. Barabas was looking to avenge Ithamore before he even betrayed him, so he is thankful to have a reason to kill him. Ithamore is “faithful” because Barabas knew he would betray him. Ithamore is conniving and greedy, like most of Marlowe’s characters, which implies such qualities are inherent human traits.
Themes
