# Mathias — The Jew of Malta character guide

> Mathias in The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe.

**Role:** supporting

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

**First appearance:** 0005-scene-ii

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Barabas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/barabas)

_rivalry_

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

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

_rivalry_

Pilia-Borza, acting on Barabas's orders, helps engineer Mathias's death in a duel.

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

_rivalry_

Ithamore helps Barabas frame Mathias, leading to Mathias's fatal duel with Lodowick.

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

_romantic_

Abigail and Mathias are secret lovers, but their relationship is destroyed by Barabas's scheming.

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

_social_

Ferneze is the father of Lodowick, Mathias's rival, and is indirectly involved in the love triangle.

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

_social_

Martin del Bosco interacts with Mathias as part of the broader political and social conflicts in Malta.

### [Barabas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jew_of_malta_se/characters/barabas)

_rivalry_

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

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

_social_

Ferneze is the father of Lodowick, Mathias's rival, and is indirectly involved in the love triangle.

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

_social_

Martin del Bosco interacts with Mathias as part of the broader political and social conflicts in Malta.

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

_rivalry_

Ithamore helps Barabas frame Mathias, leading to Mathias's fatal duel with Lodowick.

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

_romantic_

Abigail and Mathias are secret lovers, but their relationship is destroyed by Barabas's scheming.

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

_rivalry_

Pilia-Borza, acting on Barabas's orders, helps engineer Mathias's death in a duel.

## Links

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