The Beggar's Opera by John Gay
"The Beggar's Opera" is a satirical ballad opera that critiques the corruption of society through the lens of a criminal underworld in 18th-century London. The story revolves around the charming but deceitful highwayman, Macheath, who marries Polly Peachum, much to the dismay of her parents, who are involved in the criminal justice system and seek to profit from turning him in. The opera parodies the politics of the time, the legal system, and Italian opera, using popular tunes of the day to make it accessible to a wider audience. The narrative unfolds with a mix of comedy and drama, as Macheath's relationships with various women, including Polly and the jailer's daughter, Lucy Lockit, lead to his eventual arrest and the prospect of execution, with a satirical twist on the notion of justice and morality.
The 5898th greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1728
- Nationality
- British
- Type
- Fiction
- Pages
- Unknown
- Words
- 22,000
- Original Language
- English
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This book is on the following lists:
- 67th on The Drama 100 - A Ranking of the Greatest Plays of All Time (Book)
- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon (The Western Canon (Book) by Harold Bloom)