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Sale

The Beggars' Opera

$4.90 Now $3.90 Save 20%
Compare to estimated retail price: S$6.00  

The item you've got your eye on is secondhand. You probably already know that, but just in case!

The estimated retail price shown next to any listed item represents the first-hand prices we've seen elsewhere, or the estimated original retail price of a comparable item of the same quality, construction and material offered elsewhere in new condition.

The Beggars' Opera - Thryft
The Beggars' Opera - Thryft

Witty satire on societal norms and corruption.

The Beggars' Opera is a must-read for those interested in satirical plays and classic literature. With hilarious parodies on societal norms, ranging from marriage to trade, the play is a witty critique on the corruption that plagued early 18th century England. Its relevance is further proved by its influence on the iconic Threepenny Opera. This book is perfect for theater enthusiasts and literature and history students alike who want to explore classic literature.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.
Sale

The Beggars' Opera

$4.90 Now $3.90 Save 20%
Compare to estimated retail price: S$6.00  

The item you've got your eye on is secondhand. You probably already know that, but just in case!

The estimated retail price shown next to any listed item represents the first-hand prices we've seen elsewhere, or the estimated original retail price of a comparable item of the same quality, construction and material offered elsewhere in new condition.

ISBN: 9780486408880
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc.
Date of Publication: 2000-02-01
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Literary Fiction, Drama, Historical Fiction
Related Topics: Classics, Theatre, Literature
Goodreads rating: 3.4
(rated by 3505 readers)

Description

The great lords and powerful public officials of early 18th century England are represented as highwaymen and thieves in this deliciously satirical ballad opera. In addition to its burlesque of the contemporary vogue for Italian operatic styles, John Gay's 1728 masterpiece ridicules a broad spectrum of political figures and social conventions -- marriage, lawyers, trade, and even Walpole, the prime minister. Depicting crime and vice at every level of society, The Beggar's Opera offers a witty and powerful indictment of greed, hypocrisy, and corruption in all social classes. When Peachum, a receiver of stolen goods, discovers that a notorious highwayman has eloped with his daughter, the wily old villain turns informer and collects the reward money as his prospective son-in-law is hauled off to prison. Events take an increasingly absurd turn as the dashing outlaw romances the jailer's daughter and effects an escape, only to return to the shadow of the gallows for a farcical climax that parodies the sentimental tragedy of the day.
The Beggar's Opera is in the satirical tradition of Swift and Pope. Its enduring relevance was recognized two centuries later by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, who used it as the basis for their landmark musical, The Threepenny Opera. This attractive, inexpensive edition of an influential comic gem will be applauded by theater lovers, students of literature and history, and other readers.


Author: John Gay
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 64
Publisher: Dover Publications Inc.
Publication Date: 01 Feb 2000
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

Find out more about our process here.

 

Witty satire on societal norms and corruption.

The Beggars' Opera is a must-read for those interested in satirical plays and classic literature. With hilarious parodies on societal norms, ranging from marriage to trade, the play is a witty critique on the corruption that plagued early 18th century England. Its relevance is further proved by its influence on the iconic Threepenny Opera. This book is perfect for theater enthusiasts and literature and history students alike who want to explore classic literature.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.