Abstract

The Beggar’s Opera as Social and Political Satire: Origin, Development and Popularity

Asst. Prof. Asmaa Mokaram Saeed, Asst. Prof. Kamal Almas Walee

Volume: 11 Issue: 3 2021

Abstract:

This research paper revolves around the origin, development and popularity of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera when taken as a significant social and political satire. Historical representations are required to set up the shaping factors and origin of this play. Besides, the paper sheds light on the influences that have prompted him to attempt this kind of dramatic art. Furthermore, it can be assumed that that play is the production of Gay’s satirical attitudes towards the social and political systems prevailing in his time that are facilitative to this artistic production. The researcher will make certain touches upon Gay’s innovative mind to create a genre unprecedented in his time—the ballad opera tradition—that has gained immense popularity in the literary media and influenced many major dramatists such as Thomas Beckett and others to follow his example.

DOI: http://doi.org/10.37648/ijrssh.v11i03.020

Back Download

References

• Arnold, Hauser. 1972. Historia Social da Literatura e da Arte. São Paulo, Mestre Jou,
• Gay, John. 1948. The Beggar's Opera. Farrington Hall April 29, 30 May I, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 1948
• Gallacher, Ian. 2006. The Beggar's Opera and its Criminal Law Context Syracuse: Syracuse University.
• Gammond, Peter. 1991. The Oxford Companion to Popular Music. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Gay, John. 1992. The Beggar's Opera. Transcribed, with an Introduction, Notes, and Bibliography, by R.S. Bear, University of Oregon, August 1992; html version created November 1995.
• Goff, Moira. 2018. Themes:Satire and humour, Theatre and entertainment. https://www.bl.uk/restoration-18th-century-literature/articles/an-introduction-to-the-beggars-opera. Retrieved on Jan. 15th, 2020.
• http://umich.edu/~ece/student_projects/beggars_opera/music.html. Retrieved on Jan. 15th, 2020.
• J. Milling, P. Thomson, J. W. Donohue, eds. 2004. The Cambridge History of British Theatre: 1660 to 1895. Edited by Joseph Donohue (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004).
• Loftif, John. 1975. From Congreve to Fielding. In Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Beggar’s Opera: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Yvonne Noble. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc).
• Nobel, Yvonne. 1975. The Beggar’s Opera in its own time. In Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Beggar’s Opera: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Yvonne Noble. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc).
• No name. 1924. the_beggar_s_opera_pdf_gegiluruxinese.pdf file:///C:/Users/abdul%20. Retrieved on Jan. 15th, 2020.
• Mack, Maynard. In Nobel, Yvonne. 1975. The Beggar’s Opera in its own time. In Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Beggar’s Opera: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Yvonne Noble. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc).
• Mack, Maynard. 1975. “From the Augustans.” In Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Beggar’s Opera: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Yvonne Noble. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc).
• Ousby, Ian. 1996. Cambridge Paperback Guide to Literature in English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Price, Martin. 1975. From To the Palace of Wisdom. In Twentieth Century Interpretations of The Beggar’s Opera: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Yvonne Noble. (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc).
• Schlemm, Martha Dias. 1985. The Beggar Opera Tradition. Curitiba. An M. A. Thesis submitted to the Departamento de Letras Estrangeiras Modernas da Universidade Federal do Paraná para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre.
• Tandan, Verna. 1971. The Beggar’s Opera of John Gay. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies· in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts. McMas ·ter Uni versi ty Octuber 1971.
• iwAvC_Q8UrgLWSBHpXBXFYSXHgBSKWYbgIKOu5aGlce9Mx6oC0Io3061rPZCRoCsuYQAvD_BwE Retrieved on Jan. 15th, 2020. Retrieved on Jan. 15th, 2020.