The Jew of Malta
by Christopher Marlowe

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Machiavellianism Term Analysis

Machiavellianism is a political philosophy based upon the writings of Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli and his political treatise, The Prince. Machiavelli died in 1527, but his name has long since been synonymous with unscrupulous scheming and godless corruption in the name of self-interest, and this idea is reflected in The Jew of Malta. The play’s narrator, a ghost named Macheville, is the embodiment of Machiavelli himself, and the other characters likewise prescribe to the “policy” of Machiavellianism. Barabas, the richest Jew in Malta, came into his enormous stockpile of gold through Macheville’s “means,” and he is willing to lie and murder—even his own daughter, Abigail—to maintain his wealth. Ferneze, Malta’s governor, also resorts to Machiavellianism. After he exploits Malta’s Jews to pay the tribute money owed to Selim-Calymath and the Turks, Ferneze schemes with Martin Del Bosco, the Vice-Admiral of Spain, to keep the tribute money. Even the local friars, Jacomo and Bernardine, employ Machiavellian tactics, as does the prostitute Bellamira and her friend Pilia-Borza, the thief. In the end, Ferneze’s scheming comes out on top, and he kills Barabas and takes Calymath prisoner. But Marlowe suggests it isn’t Ferneze’s Machiavellianism that saves Malta. “So march away,” Ferneze says in the play’s final lines, “and let due praise be given / Neither to fate nor fortune, but to heaven.” As it is in modernity, Machiavellianism was largely condemned as immoral during Marlowe’s time. Marlowe doesn’t openly condemn such deceit and corruption, but he does imply that Machiavellianism is ultimately useless. In short, Marlowe suggests that it is God’s will that decides the outcome of any given event, and no amount of scheming can ever change God’s will.

Machiavellianism Quotes in The Jew of Malta

The The Jew of Malta quotes below are all either spoken by Machiavellianism or refer to Machiavellianism. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
God and Machiavellianism Theme Icon
).

Prologue Quotes

Admired I am of those that hate me most.
Through some speak openly against my books,
Yet will they read me, and thereby attain
To Peter’s chair: and when they cast me off,
Are poisoned by my climbing followers.
I count religion but a childish toy,
And hold there is no sin but ignorance.

Related Characters: Machevill (speaker)
Page Number and Citation: 9
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote from the prologue implies that the narrator, a ghost named Machevill, is the embodiment of 16th-century Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli and establishes the theme of Machiavellianism in the play. During Marlowe’s time, Machiavelli (who had died decades earlier) and his political philosophy, known as Machiavellianism, was largely condemned as selfish and immoral. Machiavelli’s philosophy hinged on the idea that one’s ends justify their means—in other words, it’s fine to use corrupt means to get what one wants. However, Machevill claims “those that hate [him] most” and condemn his “books” and writings (a reference to Machiavelli’s political treatise, The Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis iure. Sint qui qui. Qui similique praesentium. Ex consequatur magnam. Aliquid iste enim. Sequi aut maxime. Adipisci voluptate et. Voluptas suscipit alias. In et eveniet. Eaque et repellendus. Dolores aut voluptatibus. Voluptatem qui voluptatum. Voluptatibus sed placeat. Aut tenetur autem. Fugit voluptates in. Quidem impedit sunt. Excepturi ullam nobis. Ducimus odio quo. Ut autem harum. Omnis vel voluptatum. Assumenda officia maiores. Voluptatem sint velit. Quod quia sapiente. Cum sunt quo. Accusamus veritatis voluptatum. Rerum est et. Aut autem sit. Soluta dolor fuga. Debitis ut est. Inventore qui

But whither am I bound, I come not, I,
To read a lecture here in Britaine,
But to present the tragedy of a Jew,
Who smiles to see how full his bags are crammed,
Which money was not got without my means.
I crave but this, grace him as he deserves,
And let him not be entertained the worse
Because he favours me.

Related Characters: Machevill (speaker), Barabas
Page Number and Citation: 10
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote introduces the play’s protagonist, Barabas, and emphasizes his greediness and Machiavellian nature. Machevill says he is not in England to talk about himself; he is in England to tell the audience about a Jew named Barabas, “who smiles to see how full his bags are crammed.” Barabas’s wealth was “not got without [Machevill’s] means,” which is to say Barabas obtained his wealth through corruption and dishonesty. Machevill asks the audience to judge (“grace”) Barabas on his merit and not condemn him simply because he supports Machevill’s philosophy, but Barabas doesn’t have any merit. He is an immoral and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque p

Act 1, Scene 2 Quotes

Out wretched Barabas,
Sham’st thou not thus to justify thyself,
As if we knew not thy profession?
If thou rely upon they righteousness,
Be patient and thy riches will increase.
Excess of wealth is cause of covetousness:
And covetousness, oh, ‘tis a monstrous sin.

Related Characters: Ferneze (speaker), Barabas
Page Number and Citation: 25
Explanation and Analysis:
In this passage, Ferneze rejects Barabas’s pleas to keep half his wealth. Like much of the action from Act I, this situation speaks to the nature of greed and Machiavellian deceitfulness in Marlowe’s play. Ferneze kicks Barabas out of the senate house and says that he should be ashamed of himself, since everyone in Malta knows all about Barabas’s “profession” and how he came to be the richest man on the island. In saying this, Ferneze implies that Barabas obtained his wealth through corrupt and dishonest means, and that Ferneze consequently shouldn’t feel badly about seizing that wealth for the Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti n

Ay, policy? That’s their profession,
And not simplicity, as they suggest.
The plagues of Egypt, and the curse of heaven,
Earth’s barrenness, and all men’s hatred
Inflict upon them, thou great Primus Motor.
And here upon my knees, striking the earth,
I ban their souls to everlasting pains
And extreme tortures of the fiery deep,
That thus have dealt with me in my distress.

Related Characters: Barabas (speaker), Ferneze
Page Number and Citation: 27
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote, which appears after Ferneze seizes Barabas’s wealth to pay the Turkish tribute, emphasizes the Machiavellian corruption within the play and introduces the theme of betrayal and revenge. The word “policy” if often used in The Jew of Malta to describe deceit and corruption, and this is the word Barabas uses to describe Ferneze’s actions and those of the Maltese government. Their corruption is not “simplicity,” meaning their motives in taking Barabas and the other Jews’ money are neither just nor honest. Ferneze cites his Christian faith as proof of his righteousness and honesty, but he employs the same Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non u

Act 2, Scene 3 Quotes

Yonder comes Don Mathias, let us stay;
He loves my daughter, and she holds him dear:
But I have sworn to frustrate both their hopes,
And be revenged upon the—(Governor).

Related Characters: Barabas (speaker), Don Lodowick, Ithamore, Abigail, Don Mathias
Page Number and Citation: 51
Explanation and Analysis:
This short quote, spoken by Barabas to Ithamore, appears as Mathias enters the market in the second act, and it is significant because it underscores the extent of Barabas’s Machiavellian scheming and illustrates the lengths he will go to exact his revenge upon Ferneze for seizing his wealth and leaving him in poverty. Here, Barabas reveals that Mathias and Abigail are in love with each other, even though Barabas spends the better part of this scene promising Abigail’s hand in marriage to Lodowick. Barabas knows that Abigail and Mathias want to marry, but Barabas has taken a vow “to frustrate Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis

Barabas: Hast thou no trade? Then listen to my words,
And I will teach that shall stick by thee:
First be thou void of these affections,
Compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear,
Be moved at nothing, see thou pity none,
But to thyself smile when the Christians moan.

Ithamore: Oh brave, master, I worship your nose for this.

Related Characters: Ithamore (speaker), Barabas (speaker)
Related Symbols: Barabas’s Nose
Page Number and Citation: 52
Explanation and Analysis:
This short exchange occurs after Barabas purchases Ithamore as his slave and the two are getting to know each other. This passage is significant because it further reflects Barabas’s Machiavellian nature. When Ithamore admits he doesn’t have a profession, Barabas offers to teach him his own “trade,” which requires him to be completely devoid of “compassion, love, vain hope, and heartless fear,” to “be moved by nothing” and to “pity none,” a rather comprehensive definition of Barabas’s Machiavellian nature. This quote also reflects the anti-Semitism and offensive Jewish stereotypes that pervade most of the play Most importantly, to Barabas at Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam

Act 3, Scene 2 Quotes

Oh bravely fought, and yet they thrust not home.
Now Lodowick, now Mathias, so;
So now they have showed themselves to be tall fellows.

Related Characters: Barabas (speaker), Don Mathias, Don Lodowick
Page Number and Citation: 65
Explanation and Analysis:
Barabas speaks these words during Mathias’s and Lodowick’s deadly duel, again underscoring the ubiquitous nature of Machiavellian scheming and revenge. Here, Barabas sits above Mathias and Lodowick, watching the men fight as if it is a form of entertainment—which to Barabas, it is. Barabas relishes the sight of his machinations in action, and he clearly enjoys the idea of killing the men without touching them. He claims their fight is “bravely fought,” implying it is admirable, even though they have not yet “thrust” “home,” or managed to kill one another. Barabas’s language here mimics the back and forth action of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inven

Act 3, Scene 3 Quotes

Ithamore: Oh mistress! I have the bravest, gravest, secret, subtle, bottle-nosed knave to my master, that ever gentleman had.

Abigail: Say, knave, why rail’st upon my father thus?

Ithamore: Oh, my master has the bravest policy.

Related Characters: Abigail (speaker), Ithamore (speaker), Don Lodowick, Barabas, Don Mathias
Related Symbols: Barabas’s Nose
Page Number and Citation: 68
Explanation and Analysis:
This passage, which appears after Barabas’s scheming results in Lodowick’s and Mathias’s deaths, further reflects Ithamore’s own Machiavellian nature and underscores the anti-Semitism that permeates most of the play. Here, Ithamore praises Barabas’s scheming to Abigail, even though Ithamore knows that Abigail is in love with Mathias and is sure to be heartbroken by his death. Like Barabas and many other characters in Marlowe’s play, Ithamore is cruel, and he gets satisfaction from watching other people suffer, a trait that suggests Machiavellianism is often employed on an individual level and not just by politicians and governments. Ithamore celebrates Barabas and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate la

Act 3, Scene 4 Quotes

Stay, first let me stir it Ithamore.
As fatal be it to her as the draught
Of which great Alexander drunk, and died:
And with her let it work like Borgia’s wine,
Whereof his sire, the Pope, was poisonèd.
In a few, the blood of Hydra, Lerna’s bane:
The juice of hebon, and Cocytus’ breath,
And all the poisons of the Stygian pool
Break from the fiery kingdom; and in this
Vomit your venom, and envenom her
That like a fiend hat left her father thus.

Related Characters: Barabas (speaker), Don Mathias, Don Lodowick, Abigail, Ithamore
Page Number and Citation: 77
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote appears in the third act, as Barabas readies the rice that will poison Abigail and the entire nunnery, further reflecting Barabas’s abject cruelty and Machiavellian tendencies, as well as his growing obsession with betrayal and revenge. Abigail has converted to Christianity and joined the convent for real to atone for her sins and involvement in Lodowick’s and Mathias’s deaths, which Barabas considers a personal betrayal, and now he must seek revenge against Abigail, too. Barabas will poison her, just as Alexander the Great was allegedly poisoned, and Pope Alexander VI, who was poisoned by his son, “[Cesare] Borgia’s Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis.

Act 3, Scene 6 Quotes

Bernardine: Know that confession must not be revealed,
The canon law forbids it, and the priest
That makes it known, being degraded first,
Shall be condemned, and then sent to the fire.

Abigail: So I have heard; pray therefore keep it close,
Death seizeth on my heart, ah gentle friar
Convert my father that he may be saved,
And witness that I die a Christian.

Bernardine: Ay, and a virgin too, that grieves me most:
But I must to the Jew and exclaim on him,
And make him stand in fear of me.

Related Characters: Friar Bernardine (speaker), Abigail (speaker), Barabas
Page Number and Citation: 82-83
Explanation and Analysis:
In this passage, Abigail confesses her sins (and Barabas’s) to Friar Bernardine before she dies. However, far from being a touching seen of redemption, this passage highlights the religious hypocrisy that permeates the play and ultimately suggests that Abigail’s faith in Christianity and Friar Bernardine is misguided. Abigail is concerned that her final confession will get back to her father, but Bernardine reassures Abigail that her confession is sealed—“canon law forbids” Bernardine to reveal her confession under threat of eternal damnation and the “fire[s]” of hell. The Seal of Confession is one of the most sacred of the priestly vows, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligend

Act 5, Scene 2 Quotes

Oh fatal day to fall into the hands
Of such a traitor and unhallowed Jew!
What greater misery could heaven inflict?

Related Characters: Ferneze (speaker), Barabas
Page Number and Citation: 117
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote appears near the end of the play, after the Turks conquer Malta and make Barabas the new governor. This passage again reflects the play’s anti-Semitism and Ferneze’s religious hypocrisy. With the fall of Malta to the Turkish Empire, Ferneze is taken prisoner and left to Barabas and his Machiavellian tendencies. Malta’s demise and Ferneze’s imprisonment is made worse by way of Barabas’s Jewish identity, which Ferneze, like the other Christians in the play, fears and despises. This obvious bigotry mirrors that of England in the 1500s, which by and large responded to the Jewish community with the same Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Ni

Away, no more, let him not trouble me.
Thou hast thou gotten, by thy policy,
No simple place, no small authority,
I am now Governor of Malta; true,
But Malta hates me, and in hating me
My life’s in danger, and what boots it thee
Poor Barabas, to be the Governor,
Whenas thy life shall be at their command?
No Barabas, this must be looked into;
And since by wrong thou got’st authority,
Maintain it bravely by firm policy,
At least unprofitably lose it not:
For he that liveth in authority,
And neither gets him friends, nor fills his bags,
Lives like the ass that Aesop speaketh of,
That labours with a load of bread and wine,
And leaves it off to snap on thistle tops:
But Barabas will be more circumspect.
Begin betimes, Occasion’s bald behind,
Slip not thine opportunity, for fear too late
Thou seek’st for much, but canst not compass it.
Within here.

Related Characters: Barabas (speaker), Ferneze
Related Symbols: Gold
Page Number and Citation: 118-119
Explanation and Analysis:
This passage, which appears after Malta is conquered by the Turks and Barabas is appointed governor, stresses the inherent pros and cons of Barabas’s Machiavellian machinations. Barabas’s “policy,” that is his scheming and conniving, has resulted in great “authority” in his new role as Malta’s governor, and he knows his new position of authority must be maintained using the same “firm policy.” Barabas now has all the power, but the people of Malta still hate him, and they will likely try to kill him if he doesn’t deter them in some way. This implication suggests that Machiavellianism can be effective Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint

And thus far roundly goes the business:
Thus loving neither, will I live with both,
Making a profit of my policy;
And he from whom my most advantage comes,
Shall be my friend.
This is the life we Jews are used to lead;
And reason too, for Christians do the like:
Well, now about effecting this device:
First to surprise great Selim’s soldiers,
And then to make provision for the feast,
Then at one instant all things may be done,
My policy detests prevention:
To what even my secret purpose drives,
I know; and they shall witness with their lives.

Related Characters: Barabas (speaker), Ferneze, Selim-Calymath
Page Number and Citation: 121
Explanation and Analysis:
Here, Barabas celebrates his Machiavellianism and his ability to make “a profit of [his] policy,” underscoring his devious nature and exposing his final scheme leading up to the play’s climax. Barabas’s final scheme will result in the death of either Ferneze or Calymath, and while Barabas doesn’t particularly care for either one (he is “loving neither” but will “live with both”), he vows that whoever is left standing will “be [his] friend.” This damning admission again reflects Barabas’s despicable nature and opportunistic ways, as he will work either outcome to his benefit with his masterful scheming. Barabas claims that deceitfulness Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendi

Act 5, Scene 5 Quotes

Content thee, Calymath, here thou must stay,
And live in Malta prisoner; for come call the world
To rescue thee, so will we guard us now,
As sooner shall they drink the ocean dry,
Than conquer Malta, or endanger us.
So march away, and let due praise be given
Neither to fate nor fortune, but to heaven.

Related Characters: Ferneze (speaker), Selim-Calymath, Barabas
Page Number and Citation: 131
Explanation and Analysis:
This quote, which appears at the very end of The Jew of Malta, highlights the importance of God’s will and implies that Machiavellianism is ultimately useless. The Machiavellian scheming that Barabas, Ferneze, and Calymath all take part in seemingly leads to Calymath’s capture and Malta’s subsequent liberation, just as such scheming seems to lead directly to Barabas’s demise. And, with Calymath as Malta’s prisoner, the Turks won’t dare to try and conquer Malta again for fear of endangering Calymath’s life. It seems, for now at least, that Malta is safe, and that Ferneze and the Christians have prevailed. As Ferneze Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam cons
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