Comparison between Father and Daughter in Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe:

Comparison between Father and Daughter in Jew of Malta by Christopher Marlowe:

Keywords: Contrast, Devoted, Deceive

There is a great difference between Barabas and Abigale, father and daughter. As far as concerned characteristics and qualities they both stand contrast each other. Both are opposite poles in this respect. Father is extreme selfish while daughter is extreme selfless. She can’t think for the benefits of herself throughout the play. He can do anything for others. There are several aspects which show her honesty and sincerity.

First, in starting she takes bold step in collecting his wealth. She adopts new get up, poses as to enter in convent. She seems like a man in getting back her father’s wealth successfully. While on the other hand Barabas worships his wealth and can cross all limitations for the sake of wealth. She doesn’t give any false accuses to avoid this difficult work to perform. At night she is successful in getting all Barabas wealth hidden in the ground of the building.

Second, on the other hand Barabas is ready, all the time, to deceive others. While on the other hand father doesn’t care of the difficulties she had to face while pretending, posing, and acting. He cares only for his wealth but not for his daughter while she cares of her father but not care of herself throughout the play.

Third,  Abigale is young and has love passions for her lover. She ignores those love feelings for the sake of her father. She obeys and follows whatever he asks her to do. He doesn’t care that Abigale in the convent and if he is sending poisoned food to the nuns she could be poisoned. He seems more worried about the truth she could reveal to the priests.

Abigail finds Barabas's role in the young men's deaths. Grief-stricken, Abigail enters the convent to take shelter. When Barabas finds out what Abigail has done, he is enraged, and decides to poison food to the nuns. Both are of different nature. Father is selfish daughter is selfless. Father thinks about himself daughter never gives importance to herself. She is devoted while Barabas deceives others all the time.