“Maltese Jew” Marlo in brief summary


In the prologue Machiavelli says that everyone considers him dead, but his soul flew across the Alps and he arrived in Britain to his friends. He considers religion a toy and asserts that there is no sin, but there is only stupidity, that power is affirmed only by force, and the law, like the Dragon, is strong only in blood. Machiavelli came to play the tragedy of a Jew who became rich, living by his principles, and asks the audience to evaluate him on merit and not judge too severely.

Barabbas, a Maltese Jew, sits in his office in front of a pile of gold and awaits the arrival of ships with goods. He reflects aloud that everyone hates him for his luck, but he is revered for wealth: “So let it be better / Everyone hates the rich Jew, / Than a miserable Jewish poor!” He sees in Christians only malice, lies and pride that do not fit with their teaching, and those Christians who have a conscience live in poverty. He rejoices that the Jews have taken more riches than Christians.

Learning that the Turkish fleet has approached the shores of Malta, Barabbas does not worry: neither the world nor the war does not touch him, only his own life, the life of his daughter and his acquired good are important to him. Malta has long paid tribute to the Turks, and Barabbas suggests that the Turks have so increased it that the Maltese have nothing to pay, so the Turks are going to take the city.

The son of the Turkish sultan Kalimat and the pasha demand payment of tribute for ten years. The governor of Malta, Farnese, does not know where to get so much money, and conferred with the people around him. They ask for a postponement to raise money from all the inhabitants of Malta. Kalimat gives them a month of delay. Farnese decides to collect tribute from the Jews: everyone should give half of their property; the one who refuses will be immediately baptized, and one who refuses and gives up half the property and is baptized will lose all his good.

Three Jews say they will willingly give half their property, Barabbas is outraged by their obedience. He is ready to give up half his wealth, but

only if the decree extends to all residents of Malta, and not to Jews alone. In punishment for the obstinacy of Barabbas, Farnese instructs to take away all his goods. Barabbas calls Christians robbers and says that he is forced to steal to return the loot. Knights offer the governor to give the house of Barabbas to a convent, and Farnese agrees. Barabbas reproaches them for cruelty and says that they want to take his life from him. Farnese retorts: “Oh no, Barabbas, dirty hands with blood / We do not want.” Faith forbids us. ” Barabbas curses the vile Christians who have treated him so inhumanly. Other Jews remind him of Job, but the wealth that Job lost, do not go to any comparison with what Barabbas lost. Left alone, Barabbas laughs at the gullible fools: he is a prudent person and reliably hid his treasures. Barabbas calms his daughter Abigail, offended by the injustice of the Christian authorities. He keeps his riches in a cache, and since the house was taken under the monastery and neither he nor Abigail is allowed to go there anymore, he orders his daughter to ask for a monastery, and at night to move the floorboards and get gold and precious stones. Avigeya pretends to quarrel with her father and wants to get a haircut for a nun. The monks Giacomo and Bernardine ask the abbess to take Abigail to the monastery, and the abbess takes her to the house. Barabbas pretends to curse a daughter who converted to Christianity. Nobleman Mathias, in love with Abigail, grieves when he learns that Abigail went to the monastery. Son Farnese Lodovico, heard of the beauty of Abigail, dreams of seeing her. The night is coming. Barabbas does not sleep, waiting for news from Abigail, Finally she appears. She managed to find a hiding place, and she throws down bags of treasures. Barabbas carries them away.

Malta is visited by Vice-Admiral of Spain Martin del Bosco. He brought captive Turks, Greeks and Moors and is going to sell them in Malta. Farnese does not consent to this: Maltese in alliance with the Turks. But Spain has rights to Malta and can help the Maltese get rid of Turkish rule. Farnese is ready to rebel against the Turks, if the Spaniards support him, and decides not to pay tribute to the Turks. He allows Martin del Bosco to sell slaves.

Ludovico meets Barabbas and talks to him about the diamond, referring to Abigail. Barabbas aloud promises to give him a diamond, but he wants to take revenge on the governor and destroy Ludovico. Mathias asks Barabbas what he was talking about with Ludovic. Barabbas calms Matthias: about the diamond, not about Abigail. Barabbas buys a slave – Itamora – and asks about his past life. Itamor tells how many bad deeds he committed. Barabbas rejoices, finding in him a like-minded person: “… we are both rascals, / Cropped and Christians cursed.” Barabbas leads Ludovic to himself, asking Avigey to be polite to him. Avigeya loves Matthias, but Barabbas explains to her that she is not going to force her and to force her to marry Ludovico, just for his plans it is necessary that she be with him affectionate. He tells Mathias that Farnese planned to marry Ludovic at Avigey. Young men, formerly friends, quarrel. Abigail wants to reconcile them, but Barabbas sends two false calls to the duel: one – Ludovic on behalf of Matthias, the other – Mathias on behalf of Lodovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. quarrel. Abigail wants to reconcile them, but Barabbas sends two false calls to the duel: one – Ludovic on behalf of Matthias, the other – Mathias on behalf of Lodovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. quarrel. Abigail wants to reconcile them, but Barabbas sends two false calls to the duel: one – Ludovic on behalf of Matthias, the other – Mathias on behalf of Lodovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. but Barabbas sends two false calls to the duel: one – Ludovic on behalf of Matthias, the other – Mathias on behalf of Ludovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. but Barabbas sends two false calls to the duel: one – Ludovic on behalf of Matthias, the other – Mathias on behalf of Ludovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. the other – Matthias on behalf of Ludovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. the other – Matthias on behalf of Ludovico. During the fight the young men kill each other. Mother Matias and father of Ludovic Governor Farnese swear to take revenge on the one who quarreled them. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. Itamor tells Abigail about the intrigues of her father. Avigey, learning how cruel father was to her beloved, turns to Christianity – this time sincerely – and again goes to the monastery. Upon learning of this, Barabbas is afraid that his daughter will give him away, and decides to poison her. He pours poison into a pot of rice soup and sends it to nuns as a present. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door. No one can be trusted, not even his own daughter, only Itamor is faithful to him, so Barabbas promises to make him his heir. Itamor takes the pot to the monastery and puts it at the back door.

A month of delay has passed, and a Turkish ambassador comes to Malta for a tribute. Farnese refuses to pay, and the ambassador threatens that Turkish guns will turn Malta into a desert. Farnese calls on the Maltese to load cannon and prepare for battle. The monks Giacomo and Bernardin tell us that the nuns have suffered an unknown disease and they are dying. Before his death Abigail confesses to Bernardin about the wiles of Barabbas, but asks him to keep a secret. As soon as she emits a spirit, the monk hastens to accuse Barabbas of villainy. Barabbas pretends to repent, says he wants to be baptized, and promises to give all his wealth to the monastery. Bernardine and Giacomo argue, whose monastic order is better, and everyone wants to drag Barabbas over to his side. As a result, the monks quarrel, insult each other and fight, In the end, Bernardine leaves with Itamor, and Barabbas remains with Giacomo. At night, Barabbas and Itamor choke Bernardine, then lean his body against the wall. When Giacomo comes, he, thinking that Bernardin is standing by the wall, to not let him into the house, strikes him with a stick. The corpse falls, and Giacomo sees Bernardine dead. Itamor and Barabbas accuse Giacomo of killing Bernardine. They say that they should not be baptized, since Christian monks kill each other.

The courtesan Bellamira wants to take over the wealth of Barabbas. To do this, she decides to seduce Itamora and writes him a love letter. Itamor falls in love with Bellamir and is ready for everything. He writes a letter to Varavve, demanding from him three hundred crowns and threatening that he will otherwise confess to all crimes. Servant Bellamira goes for money, but brings only ten crowns. Itamor, in a rage, writes a new message to Barabbas, where he already demands five hundred crowns. Barabbas is indignant at the disrespect of Itamor and decides to avenge his betrayal. Barabbas gives money, and he changes his clothes so that they do not recognize him, and follows Bellamira’s servant. Itamor is drinking with Bellamira and her servant. He tells them how they and Barabbas arranged a match between Matthias and Ludovico. Barabbas, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, dressed as a French-lutnist, approaches them. Bellamire likes it, how the flowers smell on the hat of Barabbas, and he takes off the bouquet from the hat and presents it to her. But the flowers are poisoned – now to Bellamir, and her servant, and Itamora is waiting for death.

Farnese and the knights are preparing to defend the city from the Turks. Bellamir comes to them and says that in the deaths of Matthias and Lodovico, Barabbas is to blame and he also poisoned his daughter and nuns. The guard leads Barabbas and Itamora. Itamor gives testimony against Barabbas. They are taken to prison. Then the chief of the guard returns and announces the death of the courtesan and her servant, as well as Barabbas and Itamora. The guard carries Barabbas as dead and throws him behind the city wall. When everyone leaves, he wakes up: he did not die, he just drank a magic drink – an infusion of poppy and mandrake – and fell asleep. Kadimat with an army near the walls of Malta. Barabbas shows the Turks entrance to the city and is ready to serve the Turkish sultan. Kalimat promises to appoint him governor of Malta. Kalimath takes Farnese and knights in captivity and gives them to the new governor – Barabbas, who sends them all to prison. He summons the farnese to him and asks him what kind of reward he expects, if he takes the Turks unawares and returns Malta freedom and will be merciful to Christians. Farnese promises Varavve generous rewards and the post of governor. Barabbas frees Farnese, and he goes to collect money to bring them to Barabbas in the evening. Barabbas is going to invite Kalimat to a feast and there to kill him. Farnese negotiates with the knights and Martin del Bosco that, after hearing the shot, they will rush to his aid – only so they can all be saved from slavery. When Farnese brings him the collected one hundred thousand, Barabbas says that in the monastery, where the Turkish troops will come, the cannons and barrels of gunpowder are hidden, which will explode, bringing down a hail of stones on the Turks’ heads. As for Kalimat with his retinue, when they get to the gallery, Farnese will cut the rope and the gallery floor will collapse, and all who will be there at this time, fall into the cellars. When Kalimat comes to the banquet, Barabbas invites him upstairs to the gallery, but before Kalimat rises there, a shot is heard, and Farnese cuts the rope-Barabbas falls into the cauldron, standing in the subfield. Farnese shows Kalimata what a trap was set up for him. Before his death, Barabbas admits that he wanted to kill everyone; both Christians and Gentiles. Barabbas does not regret anyone, and he perishes in a boiling cauldron. Farnese takes Kalimata prisoner. Because of Barabbas, the monastery was blown up and all Turkish soldiers were killed. Farnese is going to keep Kalimata at home until his father replaces all the damage caused to Malta. Henceforth, Malta is free and will not submit to anyone. before Kalimat rises there, a shot is heard, and Farnese cuts the rope-Barabbas falls into the cauldron, standing in the subfield. Farnese shows Kalimata what a trap was set up for him. Before his death, Barabbas admits that he wanted to kill everyone; both Christians and Gentiles. Barabbas does not regret anyone, and he perishes in a boiling cauldron. Farnese takes Kalimata prisoner. Because of Barabbas, the monastery was blown up and all Turkish soldiers were killed. Farnese is going to keep Kalimata at home until his father replaces all the damage caused to Malta. Henceforth, Malta is free and will not submit to anyone. before Kalimat rises there, a shot is heard, and Farnese cuts the rope-Barabbas falls into the cauldron, standing in the subfield. Farnese shows Kalimata what a trap was set up for him. Before his death, Barabbas admits that he wanted to kill everyone; both Christians and Gentiles. Barabbas does not regret anyone, and he perishes in a boiling cauldron. Farnese takes Kalimata prisoner. Because of Barabbas, the monastery was blown up and all Turkish soldiers were killed. Farnese is going to keep Kalimata at home until his father replaces all the damage caused to Malta. Henceforth, Malta is free and will not submit to anyone. Barabbas does not regret anyone, and he perishes in a boiling cauldron. Farnese takes Kalimata prisoner. Because of Barabbas, the monastery was blown up and all Turkish soldiers were killed. Farnese is going to keep Kalimata at home until his father replaces all the damage caused to Malta. Henceforth, Malta is free and will not submit to anyone. Barabbas does not regret anyone, and he perishes in a boiling cauldron. Farnese takes Kalimata prisoner. Because of Barabbas, the monastery was blown up and all Turkish soldiers were killed. Farnese is going to keep Kalimata at home until his father replaces all the damage caused to Malta. Henceforth, Malta is free and will not submit to anyone.


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“Maltese Jew” Marlo in brief summary