Macheath

Macheath, often called "Mack the Knife," is a fictional character from John Gay’s 18th-century ballad opera *The Beggar’s Opera*. He is portrayed as a charming, charismatic, but morally dubious criminal and gangster involved in theft, violence, and vice. Despite his criminal lifestyle, Macheath is persuasive and charismatic, often escaping capture through cunning and influence. His character reflects themes of corruption and moral ambiguity, and he’s famously referenced in the jazz standard "Mack the Knife," emphasizing his cunning and dangerous nature.