Barabas is a very rich but never as a citizen of Malta accepted Jew, who is hated for being rich and for being a Jew. He therefore is more or less alienated from Malta’s Christian society although he is quite important for the people. Barabas, however, seems to accept his social position; in fact, he even prefers to be hated, but rich, successful, and Jewish instead of being "pitied in a Christian poverty." At the beginning of the play, Barabas is displayed as a wealthy and shrewd but also very selfish and intelligent man, whose motivation is money only. During the story Barabas undergoes a change of personality and presents his evilness more and more.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the character of Barabas
2. Analysis of the opening speech and business mentality
3. Religious criticism and prioritization of wealth
4. Conclusion on character development and moral decay
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the characterization of Barabas in Christopher Marlowe’s play, specifically focusing on his opening monologue to determine whether his villainy is inherent or a result of his circumstances. The analysis explores how his fixation on material wealth and his secular worldview establish a foundation for his later descent into immoral, criminal behavior.
- The role of material wealth and trade in Barabas' identity.
- Critique of religious conventions and societal structures in Renaissance drama.
- The transition from a self-interested businessman to an immoral, vengeful figure.
- The influence of social alienation on the character's psychological progression.
Excerpt from the Book
Barabas character in his opening speech
Barabas is a very rich but never as a citizen of Malta accepted Jew, who is hated for being rich and for being a Jew. He therefore is more or less alienated from Malta’s Christian society although he is quite important for the people. Barabas, however, seems to accept his social position; in fact, he even prefers to be hated, but rich, successful, and Jewish instead of being "pitied in a Christian poverty." At the beginning of the play, Barabas is displayed as a wealthy and shrewd but also very selfish and intelligent man, whose motivation is money only. During the story Barabas undergoes a change of personality and presents his evilness more and more.
He shows his true face, which is cruel, controlling and radical. Barabas turns into an immoral figure: cunning, cynical, gory, brutally calculating and greedy, without any conscience and belief, what makes him very dangerous. Strategically, he commits several crimes, such as the murder of a whole convent of nuns, including his own daughter, after she abandoned her loyalty to him. In doing so, he is honest about his crimes and motives towards the audience and even seems to be proud of those. According to that, Barabas does not kill for need but for revenge and desire. It turns out that he is just power-hungry and scheming. Barabars therefore represents a very anti-semitically inspirited Character.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to the character of Barabas: This section introduces Barabas as an alienated Jewish figure in Malta and establishes the essay’s premise that his later villainy is rooted in his initial preoccupation with wealth.
2. Analysis of the opening speech and business mentality: This chapter dissects the opening monologue to demonstrate how Barabas prioritizes commerce and financial success over personal relationships and human connection.
3. Religious criticism and prioritization of wealth: This part examines how Barabas rejects religious morality in favor of a purely materialistic worldview, positioning himself as a calculated businessman.
4. Conclusion on character development and moral decay: This final chapter synthesizes how the loss of his wealth acts as a catalyst for Barabas to abandon all remnants of moral restraint.
Keywords
Barabas, Renaissance Drama, Malta, Wealth, Greed, Identity, Alienation, Opening Speech, Trade, Morality, Character Analysis, Villainy, Religion, Materialism, Marlowe
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay explores the character of Barabas in Renaissance drama, specifically analyzing how his opening monologue provides insight into his motivations and his potential for evil.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The key themes include the intersection of wealth and greed, religious criticism, the nature of social alienation, and the moral degradation of the protagonist.
What is the research goal of this paper?
The goal is to determine how much of Barabas' true nature can be identified at the start of the play and whether his later immoral actions are a complete change or simply an exposure of his pre-existing character traits.
What methodology is applied?
The essay uses a close-reading and character-analysis methodology, primarily focusing on the textual evidence found in Barabas’ initial monologue.
What does the main part of the work cover?
The main part evaluates Barabas' business dealings, his disdain for religious concepts that interfere with trade, and his total devotion to financial accumulation.
Which keywords define the scope of the work?
The work is defined by terms such as Barabas, Renaissance Drama, Greed, Materialism, and Character Analysis.
How does Barabas view the relationship between trade and religion?
Barabas is portrayed as largely irreligious, viewing trade as more important than spiritual matters and criticizing those who look for miracles instead of working for their own wealth.
Why does the author argue that Barabas is not "evil" at the very beginning?
The author argues that while Barabas is selfish, greedy, and bossy at the start, he acts within the bounds of his profession; it is only when his wealth is stripped away that his latent evil propensity is fully realized.
What is the significance of the ships in Barabas' opening speech?
The ships represent his primary source of income and his only priority, highlighting that he is a character defined by his financial ventures rather than personal or familial bonds.
- Citation du texte
- Melissa Grönebaum (Auteur), 2013, Christopher Marlowe "The Jew of Malta". Barabas character in his opening speech, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268380
