After looking at and using several forms of literary criticism I have found that Archetypal-myth criticism has become my favorite to apply. I will be applying archetypal-myth criticism to John Gay’s Beggar’s opera. I chose this particular form of criticism because the work itself seems to try to push against traditional archetypes and stereotypes without defying them. Many of the characters in Beggars Opera, such as Mr. Peachum, Polly and Macheath, to name a few portray typical character architypes. Both Mr. Peachum and Macheath show what are usually bad character traits and archetypes. While Polly in my eyes portrays almost a damsel in destress/ lovesick naive girl archetype. However, what makes the Beggars opera, unique is how the story