Satirical Values

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Satirical works are known for being enjoyable to all because their humor and charm easily draw in an audience. John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera is a satirical play commenting on the unjust nature of humans and the corruption in society. His characters, except for Polly, are all driven by their own self-interests and contain little to no virtue. Although Polly can be naïve at times her values are driven purely by love unlike Macheath’s band of “honorable” men who are just looking for a good time. When looking at the characters one on one, we can see their arbitrary values. Their values are especially shown when it comes to crimes and the law. Both high and low-classes are walking a fine line between honest and criminal. A distancing effect is created …show more content…
When her parents learn of the marriage they become extremely outraged and declare their daughter a “sad slut” (1.8.1). Their daughter has gone and latched herself to one man instead of using her body to make the family more money. Mrs. Peachum erupts in a fit of rage and degrades her daughter’s choice to marry, “You baggage! You hussy! You inconsiderate jade! Had you been ganged, it would not have vexed me, for that might have been your misfortune; but to do such a mad thing by choice! The wench is married, husband” (1.8.7-10). Her fit seems highly dramatized for such an insignificant announcement as their daughter's marriage. Normally, someone would be overjoyed to hear that their child got married and will be well taken care of but for the Peachum’s Polly’s matrimony means they can’t use her to make them money by having her sleep around. The inversion of ideas on what it means to be married helps Gay distance the audience from liking Mr. and Mrs. Peachum. Marriage has now become a detestable subject and a way to view the Peachum’s in a negative light. The Peachum’s are only looking out for their own self-interests. Instead of seeing how happy and in love their daughter is they view her as a “sad slut” who doesn’t “head what we have taught her” and in learning to love she has ruined her life forever (1.8.1). Their motives for this outrage are driven by greed and
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