Macheath, a.k.a. "Mac the Knife" Timeline and Summary

Mac the Knife marries Polly Peachum in a secret ceremony.
When Mr. Peachum comes after him for stealing his daughter, Mac escapes.
Instead of really escaping, though, Mac goes to visit some prostitutes who betray him to the cops.
Mac is sent to jail, but the sheriff's daughter, his girlfriend, helps him escape.
Once again Mac heads back to the prostitutes, once again they betray him, and once again he's thrown into jail.
Just before he is hanged, Mac is saved by a pardon from the Queen.