Above is the picture that was in the book. In the picture I see two social status. This going off of the way they are dressed. Polly's family seems to be on a high status while Lucy and her father are not. All the while you have Polly begging to her father and Lucy looks to be reaching for the keys. They both want to see Macheath let go so they can find out who he really loves and wants to be with. I know the play must end happy but after reading the opera I feel Macheath should have been hanged. Throughout the entire play the women are always getting the bad deal, while really Macheath is the one that started it all by being with more than one woman. I did enjoy how John Gay's The Beggar's Opera was different from what we have been reading. Since it is an opera it is geared more to impress an audience. I would have loved to seen this performed. It is meant to be a comedy and have a happy ending but like I stated it shouldn't have. But I know an audience doesn't want to see a tragic ending so they get what they want.
Here are my reasons and findings of discrimination and unfairness towards women.. Examples. Polly's family does not approve of her seeing Captain Macheath. pg 2619-2620 Peachum tells Polly " But if i find out that you have played the fool and are married, you jade you, I'll cut your throat, hussy. Now you know my mind." I'm pretty sure Polly is of age and her own women but yet she is not able to make her own decisions. She must keep her love affair with Macheath a secret. The in the song that Mrs. Peachum sing "Oh London is a fine town" at the end it says "Our Polly is a sad slut, etc." I would feel so down and degraded if my parents were to say words such as this about me. Parents are supposed to be there for support and answers not to degrade. With this in mind it seems that women were still not allowed to do much. There lives were controlled, but yet through the play we see the women sneaking around and getting what they want.
Polly's family seem so worried of what people may think. And again we see her family bad mouthing her. pg 2621 Mrs. Peachum to Polly "Not with a highwayman. You sorry Slut!" This being said after finding out the Polly has married Macheath.
Once her family realize that Macheath has money all that Mr and Mrs. Peachum want now is to capture him. In a way they want to protect Polly b/c Macheath is a player, but its all about them and not what there daughter's heart desires.
Act II: Scene 4 Peachum has a plan on how to capture Macheath and that is to bribe and seduce him by using Women. He will fall for the trick and is captured. as soon has Macheath realizes what has happened he calls the women "Wanton hussies" so far in the play it seems that every event that takes place women are the ones liable for it all.
In ACT II Scene 9 we see how Macheath truly is a player. Lucy is now introduced to the play and she is pregnant with Macheath's child. So now this is going to bring rivalry between Polly and Lucy.
Now Peachum and Lockit both know that Macheath has been playing both there daughters so they both want him captured. Mainly I feel they are only doing this for the money. Also in Act II scene 11 there is more discrimination toward the woman. Between Lucy and her father lockit pg 2637 Lockit "Whence come you hussy?" he is mad because she has fallen in love and she should be obeying her father.
after reading Act 11 Scene 13. It seems that Macheath is rejecting both Lucy and Polly. For both women it seems that they would realize Macheath is just a player and both leave him and be happy. But yet they both are in love and will fight to win him. This scene brings out that man is liable for the whole situation. It shouldn't always fall on the women.If it were me I would have just left the man. LOL
In Act III Macheath is now in Prison at Newgate and Lucy will help him to escape. Her father is not happy with her and again the woman is called names " pg 2642"Thou wilt always be a vulgar slut, Lucy. If you would not be looked upon as a fool, you should never do anything upon foot of interest. those that act otherwise are their own bubbles."
Lucy and Polly will keep fight over Macheath he will be captured and sentenced to be hung. But since this is an opera it should have a happy ending. The audience will get what they want. Macheath will be set free and will choose Polly as his wife. Still when he does choose Polly he seems to say it with sarcasm and does it b/c he has to choose pg 2656 Macheath"So, it seems, I am not left to my choice, but must have a wife at last." and he still calls her a slut on the last line...
I still see the Opera geared at blaming women..
Here is the link to all the music for the opera.
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