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How does The Jew of Malta explore wealth, power, and revenge?
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Christopher Marlowe
Detail of a portrait thought to be of Christopher Marlowe, dated 1585, artist unknown; in the collection of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, England.
In The Jew of Malta, Christopher Marlowe examines the intersection of wealth, power, and revenge through the lens of a pragmatic, amoral protagonist, Barabas.12
- Wealth and Power: The play depicts Barabas as a man of business whose financial acumen grants him significant influence within a corrupt society. Marlowe uses this character to explore the "unrestrained power" derived from wealth, contrasting Barabasās self-advancement with the hypocritical moral and religious sanctions of the Christian governor and his peers.12
- Revenge: Following the state-sanctioned confiscation of his entire estate to pay a Turkish tribute, Barabas initiates a campaign of destruction against his enemies. His pursuit of vengeance is portrayed as a response to an unjust social order, though it ultimately leads to his own downfall when he is betrayed by those he sought to destroy.32
By framing the narrative with a prologue spoken by Machiavelli, Marlowe highlights the play's focus on the ruthless pursuit of self-interest, illustrating how individuals navigate and disrupt traditional political and social structures.12