Plot summary, “The Beggar's Opera” by John Gay in 5 Minutes - Book Review

The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay is a pioneering ballad opera that combines the structure of opera with satirical drama, reflecting 18th-century England's sociopolitical landscape. Written in 1728 with music arranged by Johann Christoph Pepusch, it became a monumental success, running for 62 consecutive performances and enjoying later revivals. The opera mocks Italian opera and critiques societal corruption, targeting figures like Prime Minister Robert Walpole through characters like Peachum and his criminal network. The plot revolves around Peachum's schemes to exploit his daughter Polly's secret marriage to highwayman Macheath, leading to betrayals, imprisonment, and comedic twists. Gay uses satire to juxtapose nobility and ignobility, challenge marital conventions, and expose political hypocrisy, making The Beggar’s Opera a timeless critique of greed and moral decay.