The Beggar's Opera

The Beggar's Opera is a satirical play written by John Gay in 1728. The play is set in the criminal underworld of London and follows the story of Macheath, a notorious highwayman and womanizer, as he navigates his way through a web of love, betrayal, and corruption. The play is notable for its use of popular songs of the time, which are adapted to fit the story and satirize contemporary political and social issues. The Beggar's Opera was a huge success when it was first performed and has since been adapted into numerous operas, plays, and films. It remains a classic of English literature and a testament to the enduring appeal of satire and social commentary.MATT. We retrench the Superfluities of Mankind. The World is avaritious, and I hate Avarice. A covetous fellow, like a Jackdaw, steals what he was never made to enjoy, for the sake of hiding it. These are the Robbers of Mankind, for Money was made for the Free- hearted and Generous.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.