Home : The Jew of Malta : Study Guide

The Jew of Malta Study Guide

by Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta study guide contains a biography of Christopher Marlowe, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The play is set on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. In the opening act, the Turkish sultan's son Selim Calymath arrives to exact Malta's tribute. The tribute has been neglected for the past ten years, so it has accumulated to a considerable sum. The Maltese governor Ferneze cannot produce the funds immediately, but he promises to pay within a month. After the Turks leave, Ferneze decides to collect the tribute from the Jews of Malta: each Jew must give up half of his estate.

The protagonist Barabas protests strongly, so his entire estate is confiscated. Barabas plots to retrieve part of his fortune through his daughter Abigall, and the two young men Mathias and Lodowick each set out to win Abigall's heart.

Having uttered a false…

Read the full The Jew of Malta Summary

• The Jew of Malta Summary
• About The Jew of Malta
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Prologue and Act 1
• Summary and Analysis of Act 2
• Summary and Analysis of Act 3
• Summary and Analysis of Act 4
• Summary and Analysis of Act 5
• The Price of Flesh and Beauty
• Related Links on The Jew of Malta
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• The Jew of Malta: Major Themes
• The Jew of Malta: Essays
• The Jew of Malta: E-Text
• The Jew of Malta: Questions
• The Jew of Malta: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Christopher Marlowe: Biography