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Act 3, Scene 12
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Beggar’s Opera, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Moral Corruption and Hypocrisy
Gender, Love, and Marriage
Class, Capitalism, and Inequality
Opera, High Art, and Performance
Summary
Analysis
Macheath sings a series of short songs while drinking in his prison cell. He laments the “cruel Case” that has left him in “Disgrace” (Air 58). He sings that alcohol is the only thing that can still give him comfort (Airs 59-64). He sings about women’s beauty and kisses (Airs 65-66). Finally, he sings that society is unjust for executing him, while letting the rich and powerful get away with crimes just like his (Air 67). Then, the jailor enters and reports that Macheath has visitors.
Macheath’s final solo Scene 1s designed to draw out the tension in the play’s final moments and give the actor playing him an opportunity to show off their vocal skills. While everyone else views Macheath as a tough, fearless hero, this scene once again shows that he is really a desperate coward who refuses to take responsibility for his crimes.
Themes
Literary Devices
