Peachum

Peachum is a character from John Gay's play "The Beggar's Opera," where he is portrayed as a shrewd, pragmatic man who manages and controls a group of criminals, including thieves and pickpockets. He is motivated by self-interest and makes a living by exploiting the illegal activities of others, often colluding with law enforcement. Peachum's character highlights themes of corruption, societal hypocrisy, and the blurred line between morality and law, illustrating how economic necessity and cunning can influence behavior in a corrupt society.