The Jew of Malta

Barabas enters with Selim-Calymath and the Turks, holding Ferneze and his knights as prisoners. Calymath says the Turks have conquered Malta and taken the people captive, and he ask Ferneze if he has anything to say. Ferneze says he has nothing; he is conquered and must submit. Yes, Calymath says, the Christians must submit to their “Turkish yokes.” Then Calymath turns to Barabas. “We make thee Governor,” Calymath says to Barabas, “Use them at thy discretion.”

“Oh fatal day to fall into the hands / Of such a traitor and unhallowed Jew!” Ferneze cries, “What greater misery could heaven inflict!” Calymath bids Barabas farewell and leaves him with Ferneze and his knights. Barabas orders the Turks to take Ferneze and the knights to prison, and Ferneze curses Barabas, swearing revenge, as the Turks drag him away. Alone, Barabas congratulates himself on his successful scheming. Now, he is the Governor of Malta, but everyone still hates him and likely wants him dead. Barabas decides that the only thing to do is maintain his power with the same scheming he used to secure it.

Barabas sends a guard to fetch Ferneze, and when Ferneze and Barabas are alone, Barabas asks him what he should do with his new power. Malta’s future and Ferneze’s life are in Barabas’s hands, and he can put an end to both. Ferneze says he sees nothing but Malta’s destruction and Barabas’s cruelty, but Barabas tells him not to be so negative. Barabas will let Ferneze live—as long as Ferneze lives for Barabas. Ferneze asks Barabas if he will “be good to Christians,” and Barabas asks what it would be worth to the Christians if he delivered them Selim-Calymath and the Turks, dead. Ferneze says such an act would be worth “great sums of money” to the Christians, and they would probably want Barabas to remain their governor, too.

Barabas tells Ferneze that he is free to go and visit Malta’s citizens and see how much money he can collect, and then Barabas promises to kill Selim-Calymath and his men and free Malta from the Turkish power. Barabas will invite Calymath to a feast, and at a predetermined time, Ferneze will “perform / One stratagem that [Barabas will] impart to thee.” Afterward, both Ferneze and Malta will be free. Ferneze shakes Barabas’s hand, swears to carry out the plan, and exits.

Alone again, Barabas remarks on his ability to scheme and connive and decides that whoever is still alive at the end of the feast—Ferneze or Calymath—will be his new friend. Barabas claims that Jews are used to such deviousness, and Christians are, too, for that matter. Then, Barabas exits, planning his feast.