The Jew of Malta

The Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe is a drama first published in 1589-90. A play written in 1589 or 1590. It follows Barabas, a wealthy Jewish merchant in Malta who loses everything when the governor seizes his wealth to pay tribute to the Turks. Consumed by revenge, Barabas embarks on a murderous campaign of manipulation and betrayal that spirals into increasingly deadly schemes. Set against Mediterranean power struggles, the play explores religious conflict and moral corruption across faiths, questioning whether any character, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim, truly lives by their professed principles. Its treatment of Jews -- Malta and Tragedies (Drama) gives readers several ways to connect the immediate story or argument with broader questions. The book’s distinctive character comes from a dialogue-driven form whose tensions unfold through voice, gesture, and confrontation. At roughly 20,306 words with a fairly easy reading profile, it offers a reading commitment that is easy to judge before beginning while still leaving room for close attention. Beyond its immediate story or argument, the book matters for its life both on the page and in performance. Readers drawn to drama and Jews -- Malta and Tragedies (Drama) will find a work that combines a distinct period voice with questions that remain recognizable today.