The Beggar's Opera Essay

605 Words2 Pages

Author Jon Gay claims “all professions be-rogue one another.” What does this mean? Simply put, individuals prey on one another, and only focus on what benefits them. The famous line comes from his 1728 play, The Beggar’s Opera. The play opens with informer Peachum singing the ballad containing it. Shortly after this ballad, the audience learns Peachum controls and profits from a large group of theives, highwaymen and whores. Those under him rely on his instruction. If they are of no use to him, he can choose to have them hanged for reward. Initially, Peachum does not want his daughter Polly to be married to group member Captain Macheath, for he does not want to be “in her husband’s powers.” He finds out she did marry him, and plans to have Macheath hanged for the reward. But Peachum learns Macheath may have had two or three wives, and Polly’s dower would come into dispute upon his death. He asks Polly if she secured her jointure. Polly cries she married out of love and does not want to leave him. Peachum tells her parting is “the whole scheme and intention of all marriage articles.” A wife must aim for widowhood. …show more content…

To him, man is a “vain animal” that is “so proud of being rational.” No true altruism exists. While animals feed on one another for food, “savage man alone does man betray.” Rochester further asserts people may appear friendly, but will prove themselves disloyal out of mere cruelness. To him, fear keeps people good, not some inherit “goodness.” He ends by saying he will withdraw his belief that beasts are superior to humans only if a “God-like” man dwells on Earth. This man must be “meek” and “humble” with “honest sense.” He must preach peace and practice self-restraint. If this man does exist, he would differ more from other men than from

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