Product Description

This title is from the series of paperback editions of classic plays which provide the texts, notes and critical material for A-Level and university students, but are also suitable for the general reader. The introductions place the plays in their historical, social and theatrical context; commentary notes give information on language and staging. This is a new edition of "The Jew of Malta", the play which the modern theatre has rediscovered as a masterpiece of dark comedy. It is accepted as a key play of the Elizabethan age, and is seen to be topical in its concern with international politics.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #727524 in Books
• Published on: 1994-08-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Customer Reviews

Marlowe scores again
What a fantastic play this is! Barabas is a wonderfully wicked villain. He murders nuns by putting poison in their porridge, and then says, "How sweet the bells ring now the nuns are all dead." Comparing it with 'The Merchant of Venice' shows that Marlowe's play is far better - it's more fun, the language is more exciting, and there's none of that sentimental hooey. And the play cannot be described as anti-semitic, since Marlowe pokes fun at religions of all kinds; the Christian rulers of Malta are devious Machiavellians, the Fransiscans are randy, and the Muslims are fools. Barabas is no more evil than the others - he just does it with more panache!