How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #10
BROWN. I bring a special order from our beloved Queen to have Captain Macheath set at liberty forthwith—All cheer.—as it's the coronation, and raised to the hereditary peerage. Cheers. (3.9.347-349)
Wait a minute… that's not fair. Mac is the biggest, most notorious criminal in London, and now the Queen has called him "Captain," set him free, and even given him a noble title so that he can collect money and have other perks that those with "hereditary peerage" get. That is real freedom in the play, and it only belongs to those in power.