The Beggar’s Opera (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: John Gay
- First Published: 1728
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Social satire
- Time of Work: Early eighteenth century
- Setting: London, England
- Genres: Satire, Drama, Comedy
- Subjects: Love or romance, Crime or criminals, Marriage, England or English people, Eighteenth century, London, Begging or beggars, Debtors or creditors
- Locales: London, England
Characters Discussed
Captain Macheath (mak-HEETH), the swashbuckling leader of a band of highwaymen. A great lover of the ladies, he wins Polly Peachum with protestations of sincere and virtuous affection, privately commenting, “What a fool is a fond wench,” as he prepares to entertain his favorite group of London prostitutes. Thrown into prison by Peachum and Lockit, he plays on the feelings of another “fond wench,” Lucy Lockit, the jailer’s daughter. He soon finds himself in the midst of a stormy quarrel between Lucy and Polly, each of whom believes herself to be...
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