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Lucy Lockit
Lockit is the warden who runs Newgate Prison. Even though he is supposed to represent the law and enforce justice, he is actually lazy, greedy, and sadistic. He constantly solicits bribes from his prisoners and delights in abusing and executing them. He and Peachum collaborate to turn thieves in and collect the bounties for doing so. Both Lockit’s daughter, Lucy, and Peachum’s daughter, Polly, are in love with Macheath, who, tellingly, is just as wicked as their fathers. Just as Peachum rejects Polly’s love for Macheath, Lockit completely rejects Lucy’s, except if there is money to be gained through it. He is even unmoved when she comes to him in tears, which demonstrates how corrupt and cold-blooded he is. Because of their jobs and their daughters, Lockit and Peachum also serve as character foils for one another in the play. There is no moral difference between the two men, even though Lockit technically works for the law and Peachum against it. This reflects how corrupt England’s legal and political system had become in 1728.
Lockit Quotes in The Beggar’s Opera
The The Beggar’s Opera quotes below are all either spoken by Lockit or refer to Lockit. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2, Scene 7
Quotes
The Fees here are so many, and so exorbitant, that few Fortunes can bear the Expence of getting off handsomly, or of dying like a Gentleman.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 2, Scene 10
Quotes
LOCKIT. We are treated too by them with Contempt, as if our Profession were not reputable.
PEACHUM. In one respect indeed, our Employment may be reckon’d dishonest, because, like Great Statesmen, we encourage those who betray their Friends.
LOCKIT. Such Language, Brother, any where else, might turn to your prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you.
Act 3, Scene 1
Quotes
When young at the Bar you first taught me to score,
And bid me be free of my Lips, and no more;
I was kiss’d by the Parson, the Squire, and the Sot.
When the Guest was departed, the Kiss was forgot.
But his Kiss was so sweet, and so closely he prest,
That I languish’d and pin’d ’till I granted the rest.
Love, Sir, is a Misfortune that may happen to the most discreet Woman, and in Love we are all Fools alike.—Notwithstanding all he swore, I am now fully convinc’d that Polly Peachum is actually his Wife.—Did I let him escape, (Fool that I was!) to go to her?—Polly will wheedle herself into his Money, and then Peachum will hang him, and cheat us both.
Act 3, Scene 2
Quotes
Lions, Wolves, and Vulturs don’t live together in Herds, Droves or Flocks.—Of all Animals of Prey, Man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his Neighbour, and yet we herd together.—Peachum is my Companion, my Friend—According to the Custom of the World, indeed, he may quote thousands of Precedents for cheating me—And shall not I make use of the Privilege of Friendship to make him a Return?
Act 3, Scene 11
Quotes
LOCKIT. Macheath’s time is come, Lucy.—We know our own Affairs, therefore let us have no more Whimpering or Whining.
[…]
PEACHUM. Set your Heart at rest, Polly.—Your Husband is to dye to-day.—Therefore, if you are not already provided, ’tis high time to look about for another.
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Lockit Quotes in The Beggar’s Opera
The The Beggar’s Opera quotes below are all either spoken by Lockit or refer to Lockit. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2, Scene 7
Quotes
The Fees here are so many, and so exorbitant, that few Fortunes can bear the Expence of getting off handsomly, or of dying like a Gentleman.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 2, Scene 10
Quotes
LOCKIT. We are treated too by them with Contempt, as if our Profession were not reputable.
PEACHUM. In one respect indeed, our Employment may be reckon’d dishonest, because, like Great Statesmen, we encourage those who betray their Friends.
LOCKIT. Such Language, Brother, any where else, might turn to your prejudice. Learn to be more guarded, I beg you.
Act 3, Scene 1
Quotes
When young at the Bar you first taught me to score,
And bid me be free of my Lips, and no more;
I was kiss’d by the Parson, the Squire, and the Sot.
When the Guest was departed, the Kiss was forgot.
But his Kiss was so sweet, and so closely he prest,
That I languish’d and pin’d ’till I granted the rest.
Love, Sir, is a Misfortune that may happen to the most discreet Woman, and in Love we are all Fools alike.—Notwithstanding all he swore, I am now fully convinc’d that Polly Peachum is actually his Wife.—Did I let him escape, (Fool that I was!) to go to her?—Polly will wheedle herself into his Money, and then Peachum will hang him, and cheat us both.
Act 3, Scene 2
Quotes
Lions, Wolves, and Vulturs don’t live together in Herds, Droves or Flocks.—Of all Animals of Prey, Man is the only sociable one. Every one of us preys upon his Neighbour, and yet we herd together.—Peachum is my Companion, my Friend—According to the Custom of the World, indeed, he may quote thousands of Precedents for cheating me—And shall not I make use of the Privilege of Friendship to make him a Return?
Act 3, Scene 11
Quotes
LOCKIT. Macheath’s time is come, Lucy.—We know our own Affairs, therefore let us have no more Whimpering or Whining.
[…]
PEACHUM. Set your Heart at rest, Polly.—Your Husband is to dye to-day.—Therefore, if you are not already provided, ’tis high time to look about for another.
