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The Beggar’s Opera

The Beggar’s Opera. “Life is a jest And all things show it; I thought so once, And now I know it.”. By John Gay. Characters. Men Beggar Player Peachum Filch Lockit Macheath Macheath’s gang: Jemmy Twitcher Crook- Finger’d Jack Wat Dreary Robin of Bagshot Nimming Ned

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The Beggar’s Opera

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  1. The Beggar’s Opera “Life is a jest And all things show it; I thought so once, And now I know it.” By John Gay

  2. Characters Men • Beggar • Player • Peachum • Filch • Lockit • Macheath • Macheath’s gang: • JemmyTwitcher • Crook-Finger’d Jack • Wat Dreary • Robin of Bagshot • Nimming Ned • Harry Padington • Matt of the Mint • Ben Budge Women • Mrs. Peachum • Polly Peachum • Lucy Lockit • Diana Trapes • Women of the Town • Mrs. Coaxer • Dolly Trull • Mrs. Vixen • Betty Doxy • Jenny Diver • Mrs. Slammekin • Sukey Tawdry • Molly Brazen

  3. The Beggar’s Opera • About a love triangle – two women, named Polly and Lucy, and a man named Macheath • Polly’s parents (Peachum and Mrs. Peachum) are outraged when they discover Polly has secretly married him • One of the most successful ballad operas of all time – the characters have “Airs” or ballads. • Metadrama – A play about a play (framed story) • Huge success in London in the late 1720s

  4. Satire • Satire - The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, etc. expose or ridicule an issue • Ridiculed London at the time (1728) – corruption of the government and the criminal justice system

  5. 3 Forms of Satire • Political: Prominent figures • Robert Walpole – considered the first Prime Minister (referred to as “Bob” in the opera) • Jonathan Wild – worked on both sides of the law, committed crimes but turned in criminals • Formal: Mock-opera • Typical opera: Noble, upper-class characters, spoken in Italian • Social: Low-lifes, greed, corrupt justice system, sexuality, marriage

  6. John Gay (1685-1732) • Born to a prominent family • Became financially unstable for a few years due to stock – greatly influenced his work • The Beggar’s Opera is his most celebrated work • He wrote a sequel but it was banned from stage due to its political satire

  7. In the beginning… • The play starts in Peachum’s house. He is by himself, looking through an accountant’s book. • He runs a gang of thieves, highway men, and prostitutes. • He is a professional “impeacher.” When he feels he can no longer use one of his gang members, he turns them in to the police. • Because of this, he has connections in law enforcement. • (Captain) Macheath is one of his highway men.

  8. Clips • Mrs. Peachum and Filch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExD1QqUrHF4

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