Lump of Clay
When the other Jews tell Barabas to respond the Christian seizure of their property with patience, he is infuriated. To Barabas, waiting patiently for justice is the same as accepting whatever abuse the Christians lodge at him. He criticizes these advisors who think he is "a senseless lump of clay / That will with every water wash to dirt!" (1.2). Here, Barabas uses a metaphor to compare himself to a lump of clay, suggesting that following the other Jews' advice would render him completely weak and useless.
Machiavel's Religion
In the Prologue, Machiavel asks the audience not to judge Barabas for his Machiavellian principles. He also suggests that the play, which features Jews, Christians, and Turks, is generally skeptical of all religious groups. "I count religion but a childish toy," he says, "And hold there is no sin but ignorance" (Prologue). In this metaphor, Machiavel compares religion to a "toy," foreshadowing the way that some characters – specifically Ferneze – will use religion to achieve their own personal and political gains.
Deceitful Jews
Early in the play, Barabas embraces the stereotypes and prejudices that have been lodged his way as a Jew – notably, that Jews are manipulative and deceitful. Barabas decides to embody this stereotype and use it to his advantage, saying, "We Jews can fawn like spaniels when we please, / And when we grin we bite; yet are our looks / As innocent and harmless as a lamb's" (2.3). Here, Barabas uses a simile to compare himself (and other Jews) to animals who seem tame but capable of great harm.
Abigail's Innocence
When Mathias watches Abigail as she pretends to be a nun, he becomes enamored of her innocence and beauty. He says she is "The sweetest flower in Cytherea's field," using a metaphor to compare Abigail to a beautiful flower (1.3). Of course, Mathias does not know that Abigail is only pretending to be a nun, but this statement emphasizes Abigail's own ability to dissemble and manipulate.
Cain's Punishment
When Barabas learns that Abigail has converted to Christianity and become a nun, he likens it to the same crime that Cain committed in slaying his brother, Abel, in the bible. Barabas says, "Ne'er shall she live to inherit aught of mine, / Be blest of me, nor come within my gates / But perish underneath my bitter curse / Like Cain by Adam for his brother's death" (3.4). Here, Barabas uses a metaphor to compare the punishment he will inflict on his daughter to that inflicted on Cain. Crucially, however, it was not Adam (Cain's father) who punished Cain, but God himself.
