Summary “The Maltese Jew”
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.
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 his 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
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.
Aodoviko 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.
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