The Threepenny Opera

Main Characters and Their Development

• Macheath (Mack the Knife) — the main character, a charismatic and ruthless criminal leading a double life. He marries Polly Peachum, causing conflict with her parents. Mack the Knife embodies the immorality and cynicism of society.
• Polly Peachum — the daughter of Jonathan and Celia Peachum, who falls in love with Mack the Knife and marries him. She shows courage and determination when she takes over the management of Mack's gang.
• Jonathan Peachum — Polly's father, the owner of a business exploiting beggars. He seeks to destroy his daughter's marriage to Mack the Knife and uses all possible means to achieve his goal.
• Celia Peachum — Polly's mother, supports her husband's plans against Mack the Knife. She is also involved in managing the business exploiting beggars.
• Tiger Brown — the police chief and an old friend of Mack the Knife. He finds himself in a difficult situation, torn between friendship and duty.
• Lucy Brown — Tiger Brown's daughter, who also vies for Mack the Knife's attention, creating a love triangle.