Mrs. Diana Trapes Character Analysis in The Beggar’s Opera

Mrs. Diana Trapes is a madam who employs most of the sex workers in the play. Like Peachum, she also buys and sells stolen goods. In Act III, when she visits Peachum to buy some clothes, she ends up giving away invaluable information about Macheath’s location (he is with Mrs. Coaxer).

Mrs. Diana Trapes Character Timeline in The Beggar’s Opera

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Diana Trapes appears in The Beggar’s Opera. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Moral Corruption and Hypocrisy Theme Icon

...unfair to blame men for their wives and daughters’ mistakes. Then, a servant announces that Mrs. Diana Trapes is visiting, and Peachum and Lockit agree to meet her. (full context)

Class, Capitalism, and Inequality Theme Icon

Peachum and Lockit greet Mrs. Diana Trapes and compliment the excellent gin they taste in her kisses. Trapes sings that she used... (full context)

Mrs. Trapes explains that she is looking to buy mourning clothes for her sex workers, but Peachum... (full context)

Peachum asks about Mrs. Coaxer, and Mrs. Trapes explains that she left Mrs. Coaxer with a special client: Captain Macheath. Peachum promises that,... (full context)