ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Christopher Marlowe’s fast-moving play The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta, is a tale of violent conflict between Christians, Jews and Turks. Its hero-villain, Barabas a ‘wealthy Jew’, has a cruel but intoxicating desire for money and revenge, but is ultimately punished.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Jew of Malta (full title: The Famous Tragedy of the Rich Jew of Malta) is a play by Christopher Marlowe, written in 1589 or 1590. The plot primarily revolves around a Maltese Jewish merchant named Barabas.

Detailed explanation-3: -But Marlowe’s purpose in presenting us with this pantomime Jew is surely to satirise the crudity of the stereotype. It is a provocative or Hebdoesque piece of religious cartooning that challenges the complacencies and credulities of his audience.

Detailed explanation-4: -What did Christopher Marlowe write? Christopher Marlowe’s most famous play is The Tragicall History of D. Faustus. His other plays are Tamburlaine the Great; Dido, Queen of Carthage; Edward II; The Massacre at Paris; and The Jew of Malta.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thus the plot of The Jew of Malta is the story of how Barabas was wronged by the Catholic governor and so vows revenge upon the entire city, even sacrificing his own daughter. But the theme is that of greed, corruption, and religious depravity.