# Pilia-Borza — The Jew of Malta character guide

> Pilia-Borza in The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Pilia, Borza, Pilia - Borza Jew, Pilia - Borza Knavely

**First appearance:** 0019-scene-ii

## Snapshot

A scarred, bearded pimp and blackmailer whose grisly errands for Ithamore turn Barabas's own gold into a weapon against him.

## Who they are

Pilia-Borza runs errands between Bellamira's house and Barabas's, delivering threats and collecting crowns with a rogue's relish. His mangled face and hacked hands mark him as a man of the cross-biting trade, yet he serves Ithamore with a strange, mocking loyalty. When he carries the courtesan's letter demanding gold, his nerve and greed push Barabas toward the desperate violence that will undo him.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

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

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

_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)

_friendship_

Ithamore and Pilia-Borza become co-conspirators in blackmailing and betraying Barabas.

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

_romantic_

Bellamira, a courtesan, and Pilia-Borza are lovers who scheme together to extort Barabas.

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

_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)

_friendship_

Ithamore and Pilia-Borza become co-conspirators in blackmailing and betraying Barabas.

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

_romantic_

Bellamira, a courtesan, and Pilia-Borza are lovers who scheme together to extort Barabas.

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

_rivalry_

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

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

_rivalry_

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

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

_romantic_

Bellamira, a courtesan, and Pilia-Borza are lovers who scheme together to extort Barabas.

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

_friendship_

Ithamore and Pilia-Borza become co-conspirators in blackmailing and betraying Barabas.

## Links

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