The Ottomans demand tribute of the Christian Knights who rule over the island. If the Knights refuse, the Turks will invade. Not having the money themselves, the Knights decide to seize half of the Jews' wealth. In a legal twist, if the merchant should refuse, they then have to give all of their goods to the state. Barabas, The Jew of Malta, protests and all his wealth and land are seized and his home turned into a nunnery. He spends the rest of the movie plotting his revenge.