The Jew of Malta · Character

Barabas

A Maltese Jewish merchant stripped of his fortune, whose cold, theatrical vengeance turns the island's greed back upon itself with poison, forgery, and gleeful cunning.

major

Also known as Barabas Ay, poor Barabas, great Barabas, Barabas Governor, Barabas Marry, Barabas Tush, Barabas Hum, Barabas Belike, Barabas Peace, Merchant Barabas, Master Barabas, Poor Barabas, Barabas Yonder, Barabas Daughter, Barabas Christians

First appearance: act i

As a major figure in The Jew of Malta, Barabas is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

See Barabas in act i Book page

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Barabas begins as Malta's wealthiest Jew, then loses everything when the governor seizes his estate to pay Turkish tribute, and the play's engine becomes his elaborate revenge. He hides gold beneath his own floor, feigns death, and recruits the slave Ithamore as a partner in villainy, speaking to the audience in asides that expose his delight in cruelty. His grievance is real, but his methods are so extravagantly wicked that the audience is forced to watch a victim become a monster.

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The fuller portrait of Barabas sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Barabas in act i

Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Barabas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Family
Professional

Character groups

Protagonist
Malta's Christian community

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene marks the dramatic climax because Ferneze’s flat denial of tribute—“’shalt have no tribute here”—re…

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Relationships

Mathias
rivalry · negative
Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death. How this plays out →
Abigail
family · ambivalent
Pilia-Borza
professional · negative
Ithamore
professional · negative
Ferneze
rivalry · negative
Martin del Bosco
professional · ambivalent
Friar Jacomo
rivalry · negative
Bellamira
rivalry · negative
Abigail
family · ambivalent
Ferneze
rivalry · negative
Mathias
rivalry · negative
Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death. How this plays out →
Ithamore
professional · negative

Mathias
Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death.
Abigail
Abigail is Barabas's daughter, initially loyal but later betrayed by his greed and cruelty.
Pilia-Borza
Barabas hires Pilia-Borza as a thug and accomplice in his criminal schemes.
Ithamore
Barabas purchases Ithamore as a slave and uses him as a henchman for his murders.
Ferneze
Ferneze, the Christian governor, confiscates Barabas's wealth, sparking a deadly feud.
Martin del Bosco
Barabas negotiates with Martin del Bosco, a Spanish vice-admiral, for commercial and political advantage.
Friar Jacomo
Barabas tricks Friar Jacomo into killing another friar, then murders him to cover his crimes.
Bellamira
Bellamira conspires with Ithamore and Pilia-Borza to blackmail and poison Barabas.
Abigail
Abigail is Barabas's daughter, initially loyal but later betrayed by his greed and cruelty.
Ferneze
Ferneze, the Christian governor, confiscates Barabas's wealth, sparking a deadly feud.
Mathias
Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death.
Ithamore
Barabas purchases Ithamore as a slave and uses him as a henchman for his murders.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Barabas in act i