Machevill Character Analysis in The Jew of Malta

Machevill is a ghost and the play’s narrator, and presumably, he is the embodiment of Niccolò Machiavelli, a deceased Italian diplomat from the 16th century whose name is synonymous with political corruption and godless scheming in the name of self-interest. Machevill introduces Barabas and his story, and Machevill’s sinister presence suggests that Machiavellianism is a widespread problem that is not limited to Italy or other European countries but is making its way to England as well. Machevill claims he has come to England to have some fun and spread around his “policy,” although he asks the audience to judge Barabas based on his merit, not his support of Machiavellianism. While Marlowe’s play takes place in Malta, Machevill addresses an English audience, which draws a parallel between Maltese society and Marlowe’s contemporary England.

Machevill Quotes in The Jew of Malta

The The Jew of Malta quotes below are all either spoken by Machevill or refer to Machevill. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

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Admired I am of those that hate me most.
Through some speak openly against my books,
Yet will they read me, and thereby attain
To Peter’s chair: and when they cast me off,
Are poisoned by my climbing followers.
I count religion but a childish toy,
And hold there is no sin but ignorance.

Related Characters: Machevill (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 9

Explanation and Analysis:

But whither am I bound, I come not, I,
To read a lecture here in Britaine,
But to present the tragedy of a Jew,
Who smiles to see how full his bags are crammed,
Which money was not got without my means.
I crave but this, grace him as he deserves,
And let him not be entertained the worse
Because he favours me.

Related Characters: Machevill (speaker), Barabas

Page Number and Citation: 10

Explanation and Analysis:

Machevill Character Timeline in The Jew of Malta

The timeline below shows where the character Machevill appears in The Jew of Malta. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

While the people of the world believe that Machevill is dead, his soul lives on. “The Guise,” too, is dead, and now Machevill’s ghost... (full context)

Some people call his methods murder, but Machevill thinks this opinion is foolish. He asks the audience what right Caesar had to the... (full context)

But, Machevill says, he is not here to talk about himself. He is here to introduce “the... (full context)