The Beggar's Opera
The Beggar's Opera
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1728
Book Brief
128
Play • Fiction
London • 1720s
1728
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay is a satirical 18th-century ballad opera interweaving themes of poverty, injustice, and corruption. Thief-catcher Peachum and his wife plot to profit from their daughter Polly's secret marriage to highwayman Macheath, leading to schemes, entrapment, and betrayal amidst a parody of both the upper class's love for Italian opera and political figures like Robert Walpole.
Humorous
Playful
Dark
Reviews & Readership
3,981 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Reviews of John Gay's The Beggar's Opera praise its sharp social commentary and satirical humor. The lively characters and witty dialogue entertain, though some find the period-specific references challenging. While the play's critique of corruption remains relevant, critics note its pacing can feel uneven to modern audiences.
Who Should Read The Beggar's Opera?
The ideal reader for John Gay's The Beggar's Opera enjoys satirical and socio-political commentary in a theatrical format. Fans of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels or Henry Fielding's Tom Jones will appreciate its wit, critique of societal norms, and blend of humor with moral questioning.
3,981 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
128
Play • Fiction
London • 1720s
1728
Adult
18+ years
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