Paradox
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Introduction Act 1, Scene 1 Act 1, Scene 2 Act 1, Scene 3 Act 1, Scene 4 Act 1, Scene 5 Act 1, Scene 6 Act 1, Scene 7 Act 1, Scene 8 Act 1, Scene 9 Act 1, Scene 10 Act 1, Scene 11 Act 1, Scene 12 Act 1, Scene 13 Act 2, Scene 1 Act 2, Scene 2 Act 2, Scene 3 Act 2, Scene 4 Act 2, Scene 5 Act 2, Scene 6 Act 2, Scene 7 Act 2, Scene 8 Act 2, Scene 9 Act 2, Scene 10 Act 2, Scene 11 Act 2, Scene 12 Act 2, Scene 13 Act 2, Scene 14 Act 2, Scene 15 Act 3, Scene 1 Act 3, Scene 2 Act 3, Scene 3 Act 3, Scene 4 Act 3, Scene 5 Act 3, Scene 6 Act 3, Scene 7 Act 3, Scene 8 Act 3, Scene 9 Act 3, Scene 10 Act 3, Scene 11 Act 3, Scene 12  Act 3, Scene 13 Act 3, Scene 14 Act 3, Scene 15 Act 3, Scene 16 Act 3, Scene 17
Themes
All Themes Moral Corruption and Hypocrisy Gender, Love, and Marriage Class, Capitalism, and Inequality Opera, High Art, and Performance
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Polly Peachum Peachum Lucy Lockit Lockit Macheath Mrs. Peachum The Beggar The Player Mrs. Coaxer Filch Robin of Bagshot (“Bob Booty”) Mrs. Diana Trapes
Terms
All Terms Cordial Newgate Prison Transportation
Symbols
All Symbols Account Book
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices Allusions Foil Frame Story Genre Hyperbole Idioms Imagery Irony Metaphors Mood Motifs Paradox Pathos Satire Setting Similes Situational Irony Style Tone
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The Beggar’s Opera

by John Gay
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The Beggar’s Opera: Paradox 1 key example

Definition of Paradox

A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... read full definition
Act 2, Scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Like a Jack-daw:

In a tavern near Newgate Prison, where Macheath will later be imprisoned, Matt of the Mint uses a paradox and a simile in his defense of his criminal profession to the other members of Macheath’s gang of thieves: 

We retrench the Superfluities of Mankind. The World is avaritious, and I hate Avarice. A covetous fellow, like a Jack-daw, steals what he was never made to enjoy, for the sake of hiding it. These are the Robbers of Mankind, for Money was made for the Free-hearted and Generous, and where is the Injury of taking from another, what he hath not the Heart to make use of?

Related Characters: Matt of the Mint
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Related Themes:
Class, Capitalism, and Inequality Theme Icon
Related Quotes:
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