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

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.