Merchant of Venice As a Comedy

What separates a comedy from a tragedy is essentially a happy ending. Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice is a classical comedy considered within this classification. Comedies traditionally end with no death, happily marriages or reunion of lovers, salvation of the right-minded characters and unraveling of the twisted conflicts. Some considers this comedy as one of the disturbing ones of Shakespeare. Hints of antisemitism, criticism of Christians may have caused these types of commentaries. However, throughout the weaving of the plot no real harm comes to anybody, maybe except Shylock who might disagree ! 

In the play, one of the classical elements of the comedy is use of disguise. All three female characters Jessica, Portia and Nerissa disguises themselves as males at some point. Jessica does so in order to run away with Lorenzo who is ironically a Christian guy and she manages to not get caught by her strict Jewish father. Separated lovers who gets to find their way back to each other is in fact comedic. They were not permitted to see each other but again were so sure of their love and this was what caused Jessica to embarrassingly dressing up as a torchbearer. 

Portia and Nerissa disguises themselves as lawyer and clerk to save Antonio from submitting his pound of flesh. Portia’s incredible knowledge of Venetian law is unexpected, Portia now entering the play as Balthasar gives out a pretty speech on why Shylock must show mercy since it is an attribute to God, on Shylock’s unaccepting behavior Portia manipulates and eases him to giving up taking his pound of flesh, because the rule presented is impossible to apply, comically losing half of his belongings to state. Why and how Portia is the best lawyer around? We do not know. In addition to this scene, their identity is mistaken by those who knows them best. Antonio and Bassanio do not recognize their beloved ones even slightly whatsoever, we presume Portia and Nerissa nailed their disguised characters or Antonio and Bassanio is not very bright after all. Antonio eventually is saved from a painful death, Bassanio’s ships finally reaches Venice without any impairments and the lucky guy he is, the other half of Shylock’s wealth now belongs to him. 

Prior these events, an example to a happy ending takes place when Bassanio chooses the right casket. Portia indirectly helps Bassanio to choose the lead casket because coincidentally (!) they happen to have feelings for each other and Portia’s duty to follow her father’s will sums up to a great success. Portia gets to be with someone who she is fond of and Bassanio wins by marrying a rich and beautiful lady. Really there is no losing for them no matter how hard they try! 

Characters wise, usage of stock characters reinforces this play’s comedy. Stock characters are those who fit into specific stereotypes shaped on cliches and prejudices of society. These archetypal figures have a specific role in advancing the plot. For instance, Shylock is the perfect stereotype of moneylenders, a Jewish villain, greedy and ill tempered. Bassanio is this romantic hero, careless and courageous ready to do anything for love irresponsibly. He represents the classic suitor whose pursuits drive the most of the plot. Launcelot Gobbo the clown is essential for the comedic relief and an additional stock character as the clown. He gives out humorous commentaries mocking more serious characters. Traits of stock characters are usually exaggerated and often predictable on their decisions that will bring out the absurd events and they provide laughable interactions based on natural human traits shaped by societal norms. 

Therefore, Merchant of Venice is the epitome of Comedy whether it is full of errors and problems. It is typical when looked into Elizabethan theatre and it is fed with the underlying serious issues such as antisemitism. Mix and matching of the characters thrown together comprises this comedic play in a puzzled and messy way in my opinion even so it moves chronologically. Final act of happy ending, reunion of lovers successful eloping of Jessica and Lorenzo, no defacement to wealth of Bassanio, or death of each Bassanio and Shylock thanks to Balthasar provides us the main and basic components of a good comedy by Shakespeare.