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How Does Shakespeare Use Satire For Measure

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The Use of Satirical Commentary in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and John Gay’s Beggars Opera
In William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” William Shakespeare uses satirical comedy to allude to both political and religious topics during the 1600s. The telling dramatic comedy unfolds as an absent leader creates chaos through electing a corrupt leader to temporally taking his place, thus illustrating how easily society can become corrupt through poor leadership. While set in Venice Italy, Shakespeare uses his comedy to allude to his ideals of justice and morality for England under the new leadership of King James I in 1604. Similarly, in John Gay’s “Beggars Opera” gay uses political satire to comically “play” at the political issues …show more content…
The plot progresses with the Peachums attempting to kill Macheath for money, thus ensuing a storyline full of political and moral satire. Similarly, Both Shakespeare and Gay use comedy as entertainment but also educational factor in their satires through highlighting important points on justice and morality. However, unlike Shakespeare, John Gay wasn’t trying to appease a specific political leader as his ballad opera focused on satirizing Italian opera and lampooning politicians during the 1700s. John Gay used his satirical comedic opera to reflect upon the 18th century society in which he lived in, openly mocking politicans and key elements in society which he viewed as ludercrous. While “Measure for Measure” and “Beggars opera” are highlighting different issues in their plays John Gay successfully uses plot and the characters within his opera to portray his own commentary …show more content…
Specifcally, Gay uses the plot to reflect on the question of identity of the characters themselves, through the use of his satirical commentary. Famously, John Gay uses the character of Macheath to represent real life political Whig leader Sir Prime Minister, Robert Warpole. In openly using his characters to mock current poltical leaders, Gay is able use satire to show the faults in human nature, primarly politics. In the beginning of the play, Gay uses the beggar characters to open up the satirical notion of how he believes current leaders are not “gentlemen” but fauds stating, “the fine gentlemen imitate the gentlemen of the road, or the gentlemen of the road the fine gentlemen” (126). CONCLUDING

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