# Barabas — The Jew of Malta character guide

> Barabas in The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe.

**Role:** 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:** 0003-act-i

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Mathias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/mathias)

_rivalry_

Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death.

### [Abigail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/abigail)

_family_

Abigail is Barabas's daughter, initially loyal but later betrayed by his greed and cruelty.

### [Pilia-Borza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/pilia_borza)

_professional_

Barabas hires Pilia-Borza as a thug and accomplice in his criminal schemes.

### [Ithamore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/ithamore)

_professional_

Barabas purchases Ithamore as a slave and uses him as a henchman for his murders.

### [Ferneze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/ferneze)

_rivalry_

Ferneze, the Christian governor, confiscates Barabas's wealth, sparking a deadly feud.

### [Martin del Bosco](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/martin_del_bosco)

_professional_

Barabas negotiates with Martin del Bosco, a Spanish vice-admiral, for commercial and political advantage.

### [Friar Jacomo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/friar_jacomo)

_rivalry_

Barabas tricks Friar Jacomo into killing another friar, then murders him to cover his crimes.

### [Bellamira](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/bellamira)

_rivalry_

Bellamira conspires with Ithamore and Pilia-Borza to blackmail and poison Barabas.

### [Abigail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/abigail)

_family_

Abigail is Barabas's daughter, initially loyal but later betrayed by his greed and cruelty.

### [Ferneze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/ferneze)

_rivalry_

Ferneze, the Christian governor, confiscates Barabas's wealth, sparking a deadly feud.

### [Mathias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/mathias)

_rivalry_

Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death.

### [Ithamore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/ithamore)

_professional_

Barabas purchases Ithamore as a slave and uses him as a henchman for his murders.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/barabas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters