The Jew of Malta

by

Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta: Act 4, Scene 4 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Pilia-Borza enters with Bellamira and Ithamore. The three are drinking and celebrating, and Bellamira and Ithamore are professing their love for one another. Bellamira raises her glass and suggests they drink to Barabas, but Ithamore says he will drink to Barabas when he sends him more gold. Pilia-Borza asks what Ithamore will do if Barabas does not send the gold, but Ithamore says not to worry. He knows that Barabas is a murderer, and he will surely pay.
Bellamira and Ithamore’s celebration reflects their greedy and corrupt nature, as they relish the thought of taking from another. Ithamore doubly betrays Barabas—first by attempting to blackmail him and then by admitting to Pilia-Borza and Bellamira that Barabas is a murderer, which, by extension, makes Ithamore a murderer, too.
Themes
God and Machiavellianism Theme Icon
Money and Greed Theme Icon
Betrayal and Revenge  Theme Icon
Bellamira is surprised and says that she did not think Barabas was brave enough to commit murder. He is, Ithamore confirms. Ithamore admits to helping Barabas kill Mathias and Lodowick without ever touching them, and he further admits to delivering the poisoned rice to Abigail and the nuns and strangling Bernardine with his belt. In a quick aside, Pilia-Borza suggests to Bellamira that they tell Ferneze, but Bellamira says they should wait and get more gold first. “Come gentle Ithamore,” Bellamira says, “lie in my lap.”
Bellamira again asks Ithamore to “lie in [her] lap” and uses sex to manipulate him and advance her own Machiavellian machinations. Pilia-Borza’s suggestion that they go to Ferneze suggests that Pilia-Borza thinks turning both Barabas and Ithamore in would be more lucrative, but Bellamira thinks they can get more out of Barabas first, which again speaks to their insatiable greed and corruption.
Themes
God and Machiavellianism Theme Icon
Money and Greed Theme Icon
Betrayal and Revenge  Theme Icon
Suddenly, Barabas enters with a lute, disguised as a French musician. Bellamira immediately asks him to play. “Must tuna my lute for sound,” Barabas says, “twang twang first.” Bellamira asks Pilia-Borza to get her the posy in Barabas’s hat, and Barabas gives Pilia-Borza the flowers. Bellamira smells the flowers and hands it back to Ithamore and Pilia-Borza, who also sniff the petals. Barabas snickers in a quick aside. “I am revenged upon ‘em all,” he says quietly, “I poisoned it.” 
Barabas’s French disguise and ridiculous French accent is quite sarcastic and funny, especially since Pilia-Borza, Bellamira, and Ithamore don’t realize they are being duped. Presumably, Barabas poisons them with the same poison he used at the nunnery, which means it will take at least 48 hours for them to die. Barabas again refers to his revenge, illustrating how guided and obsessed he is with getting even.
Themes
God and Machiavellianism Theme Icon
Betrayal and Revenge  Theme Icon
Literary Devices
Pilia-Borza suggests they send another letter to Barabas with the French musician and demand more gold, but Ithamore says he is done with letters and tells the disguised Barabas to leave. Ithamore orders Pilia-Borza to tell Barabas to pay 1,000 crowns immediately. He says Pilia-Borza should mention nuns and rice or Friar Bernardine—either statement will make Barabas pay. As they exit, Ithamore says it is not a sin “to undo a Jew”—it is a “charity.” 
Ithamore’s claim that it is “charity” “to undo a Jew” again reflects the anti-Semitic sentiments of the time. Jews are officially unwanted in Maltese (and English) society, so Ithamore doesn’t see anything wrong with causing a Jew’s destruction. This passage also reflects Ithamore’s greed. His last demand was only 500 crowns, which he has now doubled.
Themes
God and Machiavellianism Theme Icon
Anti-Semitism Theme Icon
Money and Greed Theme Icon
Betrayal and Revenge  Theme Icon
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