tragedy and comedy?

Something i find interesting is that "the beggar's opera" and a lot of other plays we have read have been "comedies" and also really tragic too! The whole plot of this opera is parents who have sold their daughter to basically a sex trade, tries to convince her to kill her husband! And also looking at "Duchess of Malfi" and the tragic things that happen it's interesting that they also make it into a comedy. I'm sure the audience was confused whether to laugh or feel sad. This play also took place in 1728 which was the time of George II. This king forbid the succession of protestants and was always in wars with spain. I think this play could relate to the political time period because of the opposition of many for the conservative whig party. Another thing is that i think Macheath is kind of like a christ-figure who is plotted after although completely innocent. I really like this play and it's my favorite by far.

--Andrea Yarnell