Major Characters in The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe

 

"The Jew of Malta"

Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593)

The play was first performed around 1592, and first published in this edition of 1633. The play features several significant characters. Here are the major characters in the play:

1.                      Barabas:

The central character and protagonist/antagonist of the play. He is a Jewish merchant known for his cunning, intelligence, and unyielding ambition. Barabas is driven by a desire for wealth and power, leading him to engage in deceit, manipulation, and acts of revenge against those who cross him.

2.                      Abigail:

Abigail is Barabas's daughter. She initially becomes a nun but is lured away from the convent by Barabas's hidden treasures. Abigail falls in love with Mathias, a Christian man, which creates a conflict between her loyalty to her father and her feelings for Mathias.

3.                      Ferneze:

Ferneze is the governor of Malta. He imposes a heavy tax on the Jewish community, including Barabas, to fund the defense of the island against the Turks. Ferneze represents the Christian authority and embodies the anti-Semitic sentiment prevalent in society.

4.                      Mathias:

Mathias is a young Christian gentleman and Abigail's love interest. He joins the Maltese army to fight against the Turks but finds himself entangled in the web of deception and rivalry between Barabas and Ferneze. Mathias's character highlights the religious and romantic conflicts within the play.

 

5.                      Ithamore:

Ithamore is Barabas's loyal and cunning slave. He aids Barabas in his schemes and acts as a loyal confidant. Ithamore is often portrayed as a comic and morally ambiguous character, serving as a foil to Barabas's darker deeds.

 

6.                      Calymath:

Calymath is the son of the Turkish Sultan and serves as a representative of the Turks. He enters into political negotiations with the governor of Malta, Ferneze, and becomes involved in the power struggles and conflicts within the play.

 Click for the summary of The Jew of Malta.