By John Gay Life is a jest And all things show it I thought so once And now I know it Characters Women Mrs Peachum Polly Peachum Lucy Lockit Diana Trapes Women of the Town ID: 172525
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Slide1
The Beggar’s Opera
By John Gay
“Life is a jest
And all things show it;
I thought so once,
And now I know it.”Slide2
CharactersWomenMrs. PeachumPolly
PeachumLucy Lockit
Diana TrapesWomen of the TownMrs. CoaxerDolly Trull
Mrs. Vixen
Betty Doxy
Jenny DiverMrs. SlammekinSukey TawdryMolly Brazen
Men
Beggar
Player
Peachum
Filch
Lockit
Macheath
Macheath’s
gang:
Jemmy
Twitcher
Crook-
Finger’d
Jack
Wat
Dreary
Robin of
Bagshot
Nimming
Ned
Harry
Padington
Matt of the Mint
Ben BudgeSlide3
The Beggar’s OperaAbout a love triangle – two women, named Polly and Lucy, and a man named MacheathPolly’s parents (Peachum
and Mrs. Peachum) are outraged when they discover Polly has secretly married himOne 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 1720sSlide4
SatireSatire - The use of humor, irony, exaggeration, etc. expose or ridicule an issueRidiculed London at the time (1728) – corruption of the government and the criminal justice systemSlide5
3 Forms of SatirePolitical: Prominent figuresRobert 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 criminalsFormal: Mock-operaTypical opera: Noble, upper-class characters, spoken in Italian
Social: Low-lifes, greed, corrupt justice system, sexuality, marriage Slide6Slide7
John Gay (1685-1732)Born to a prominent family
Became financially unstable for a few years due to stock – greatly influenced his workThe Beggar’s Opera is his most celebrated workHe wrote a sequel but it was banned from stage due to its political satireSlide8
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.Slide9
ClipsMrs. Peachum and Filch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExD1QqUrHF4