Matthias

Matthias Character Analysis

Quick Facts

Matthias is Ana's father, head scribe, and chief counselor to Herod Antipas. He is a wealthy and politically influential figure in Sepphoris. His ambition drives much of the plot, leading him to make ruthless decisions that impact Ana and Judas.

Who He Is

Matthias is a complex figure embodying patriarchal authority and political ambition. He is a man of contradictions: he fosters Ana's intellectual growth while simultaneously seeking to confine her within traditional societal roles. Driven by a deep-seated insecurity about his social standing and a relentless pursuit of power, Matthias's actions often prioritize his self-interest above the well-being of his children.

Personality & Traits

Matthias is a master of political maneuvering, always seeking to advance his position and wealth. His character is marked by a blend of ambition, insecurity, and a willingness to compromise his principles for personal gain.

• Ambitious and Politically Astute: Matthias is a shrewd strategist, adept at navigating the treacherous political landscape of Galilee. Ana observes, "The people called Herod Antipas the Fox, but my father was the slyer one." His advice to Antipas, such as minting coins with a menorah to appease the Jews, demonstrates his cunning.
• Pragmatic and Worldly: Matthias's religious devotion is secondary to his social and political goals. His "Jewishness came and went like the rains," indicating that he values the appearance of religious observance more than genuine faith.
• Conflicted Father: Matthias has a contradictory relationship with Ana, fostering her intellectual development while simultaneously attempting to control her destiny. He indulges her requests for tutors and writing materials, yet he also dismisses her aspirations, remarking that "the only boy in the family was a girl."
• Cruel and Uncaring: Matthias consistently mistreats Judas, whom he despises for his Zealot sympathies. This cruelty culminates in him disowning Judas and later delivering him to Antipas to be imprisoned, a calculated act to protect his reputation.
• Insecure: Despite his power, Matthias is plagued by insecurities, particularly his lack of inherited land. This deep-seated desire for the status of a landowner motivates his actions, including arranging Ana's marriage to the wealthy Nathaniel ben Hananiah.

Character Journey

Matthias's character arc is one of progressive unveiling rather than redemption. Initially, he appears as a somewhat tolerant father, allowing Ana unusual freedoms. However, as the story progresses, his ambition and capacity for cruelty become increasingly apparent. The decision to betroth Ana to Nathaniel for land marks a turning point, revealing his prioritization of personal gain. This is further cemented by his betrayal of Judas. Even his subsequent fall from grace after Ana defies Antipas does not lead to introspection, but rather to anger directed at his daughter.

Key Relationships

• Ana: Matthias's relationship with Ana is the most complex in the novel. He is both her enabler and her oppressor, providing the tools for her intellectual awakening but then attempting to force her into a life that would extinguish her spirit. His actions are a primary catalyst for Ana's rebellion and her search for a life that honors her The Search for Self and Personal Longing.

• Judas: Matthias's relationship with his adopted son is marked by open hostility. He views Judas's revolutionary ideals as a direct threat to his carefully constructed life of influence and wealth. This culminates in the ultimate betrayal when he hands Judas over to Antipas, demonstrating his complete lack of paternal feeling for him.

• Hadar: His marriage to Hadar is cold and loveless. He is oblivious to her long-standing deception regarding her inability to conceive, a quiet revenge she enacts for his coldness toward Judas. He often belittles her and blames her for what he perceives as Ana's flaws.

• Yaltha: He has a strained relationship with his sister, Yaltha, whom he takes in out of familial duty. He resents her intellectual influence on Ana and has forced her into silence about her past, demonstrating his need for control and the preservation of his family's reputation.

• Herod Antipas: As Antipas's "closest adviser," Matthias derives his power and status from this relationship. He is a sycophant, constantly scheming to maintain the tetrarch's favor. However, the relationship is precarious, and Antipas ultimately demotes him without a second thought when Ana's defiance causes him public embarrassment.

Defining Moments

Matthias's actions often have significant consequences for those around him, revealing his true character and driving the plot forward.

• Arranging Ana's Betrothal: The scene in the market where Matthias finalizes Ana's betrothal to Nathaniel ben Hananiah is a pivotal moment. It reveals that his desire for land and status is more powerful than his love for his daughter, forcing Ana to confront the harsh reality of her position as a woman in his world.
• Disowning Judas: During a heated argument over Judas's Zealot activities, Matthias's fury boils over, and he banishes his adopted son from the house. This act of disownment is a brutal confirmation of his priorities and foreshadows his later, more devastating betrayal.
• Betraying Judas to Antipas: In a calculated move to prove his loyalty to the tetrarch, Matthias captures Judas and delivers him to Antipas during Ana's betrothal ceremony. This moment solidifies his character as a ruthless political operator willing to sacrifice family for power.
• Offering Ana as a Concubine: After Nathaniel's death, Matthias attempts to use Ana again to regain favor with Antipas by offering her as a concubine. This demonstrates the depth of his sycophancy and his complete disregard for Ana's autonomy and dignity.

Essential Quotes

Matthias's words and actions reveal his complex and often contradictory nature.

He liked to say the only boy in the family was a girl.

This quote encapsulates Matthias's complex view of Ana. While he acknowledges her intellectual capabilities, he also subtly diminishes her, suggesting that her intelligence is an anomaly for a woman.

The people called Herod Antipas the Fox, but my father was the slyer one.

This quote, spoken by Ana, highlights Matthias's political cunning and ambition. It suggests that he is even more manipulative and strategic than the tetrarch himself, emphasizing his skill in navigating the treacherous political landscape.

“His pronouncement on the poor, rendered with such ease, such malice, incensed Judas, who bellowed back, “The poor have reaped only the brutality of Antipas! How are they to pay his taxes on top of Rome’s tributes, and their mandatory tithes to the Temple? They are being broken, and you and Antipas are the pestle.” For moments there was not a sound. Then Father’s voice, barely a hiss: “Get out. Leave my house.”

This exchange between Matthias and Judas reveals the deep ideological divide between them. Matthias's dismissive attitude towards the plight of the poor contrasts sharply with Judas's passionate defense of them, leading to Judas's expulsion from the house.

“Ana, daughter of mine, for you to be the concubine of the tetrarch is the best we can hope. You would be like a second wife.”

This quote demonstrates Matthias's complete disregard for Ana's autonomy and dignity. He sees her as a pawn to be used to regain favor with Antipas, highlighting his sycophancy and his willingness to sacrifice his daughter's happiness for his own gain.