The Jew of Malta · Character

Mathias

A young Maltese gentleman in love with Abigail, whose rivalry with Lodowick is quietly inflamed by Barabas until a forged letter sends both men to their deaths.

supporting

Also known as Don Mathias, poor Mathias, Sirrah Mathias, Mathias Whither

First appearance: scene ii

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

See Mathias in scene ii Book page

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Mathias loves Abigail and believes she loves him, a hope Barabas privately vows to destroy as part of his revenge on the governor. He is warned by his mother Katharine to stay away from the Jew, but he keeps returning, first to borrow a book, then to answer a challenge he believes came from Lodowick. His death in the street, watched from a balcony by the man who arranged it, is the play's first proof of how cheaply Barabas spends other people's lives.

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See Mathias in scene ii

Character Web

18 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Romantic
Social

Character groups

Malta's Christian community
Protagonist

+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

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

Barabas
Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death.
Pilia-Borza
Pilia-Borza, acting on Barabas's orders, helps engineer Mathias's death in a duel.
Ithamore
Ithamore helps Barabas frame Mathias, leading to Mathias's fatal duel with Lodowick.
Abigail
Abigail and Mathias are secret lovers, but their relationship is destroyed by Barabas's scheming.
Ferneze
Ferneze is the father of Lodowick, Mathias's rival, and is indirectly involved in the love triangle.
Martin del Bosco
Martin del Bosco interacts with Mathias as part of the broader political and social conflicts in Malta.
Barabas
Barabas manipulates Mathias as a pawn in his revenge plot, ultimately causing his death.
Ferneze
Ferneze is the father of Lodowick, Mathias's rival, and is indirectly involved in the love triangle.
Martin del Bosco
Martin del Bosco interacts with Mathias as part of the broader political and social conflicts in Malta.
Ithamore
Ithamore helps Barabas frame Mathias, leading to Mathias's fatal duel with Lodowick.
Abigail
Abigail and Mathias are secret lovers, but their relationship is destroyed by Barabas's scheming.
Pilia-Borza
Pilia-Borza, acting on Barabas's orders, helps engineer Mathias's death in a duel.

Relationship notes

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

See Mathias in scene ii