The Jew of Malta

How has Marlowe shown discrimination with reference to his play " The Jew Of Malta"?

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The stereotyping of Barabas and his general treatment by the Christians of Malta reflect Elizabethan Ideas about Jews. There are references to Barabas' nose (evidently the actor playing this role wore a large false nose) and to Christian myths about Jews: they poison wells, kill sick people, murder at will, and cheat honest Christians out of their money. But there are also stereotypes about Catholics included in the text: their piety is false, nuns and priests engage in Illicit sexual affairs, and they care more about money than the souls of their flock. As is the case with the Jews, the stereotypes about Catholics reflect the general Elizabethan fears about Catholics, whom they suspect of constantly trying to sell their country to the Pope in Rome.

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