The Jew of Malta

I think this is often a reaction to how Christians treat him. Barabas is no angel. He responsible for all the things that he accuses Christians of. 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. Barabbas sees this hypocrisy in Christians.