The Beggar’s Opera (1760)

The Beggar’s Opera is a satirical ballad opera written by John Gay in 1760. The story follows the life of a notorious highwayman named Macheath, who is in love with two women: Polly Peachum and Lucy Lockit. Polly is the daughter of a notorious thief-catcher, while Lucy is the daughter of the jailer who has imprisoned Macheath. The plot revolves around Macheath’s attempts to avoid the hangman’s noose, while navigating the treacherous world of 18th-century London’s criminal underworld. The Beggar’s Opera is a social commentary on the corruption and hypocrisy of the ruling classes, and the moral decay of society. It features a diverse cast of characters, including thieves, prostitutes, jailers, and corrupt officials, all of whom are portrayed with a mix of humor and cynicism. The play is notable for its use of popular songs and ballads of the time, which are often parodied and given new lyrics to fit the story. The Beggar’s Opera was a commercial success in its time, and has since become a classic of English literature. It has been adapted into numerous stage productions, films, and operas, and has influenced many other works of art and literature. The play’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and its ability to entertain and provoke audiences.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.