The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is one of the most popular tragicomedy examples The Merchant of Venice is one of the most popular tragicomedy examples. It was written in 1596 or 1597.

The play has a comic structure The play has a comic structure. However, there are tragic characters like Shylock (a central character). There are tragic events like Antonio’s “loss” of life (he did not really die).

The play ends happily with the union of the lovers.

The feeling and mood of the play at the end is neither happy nor gloomy. This play has definitely a comic structure. However, it has a strong tragic story. 

Context As in the rest of Europe, England restricted the rights of Jews. Jews were banished from England in 1290 by King Edward I. They were not officially allowed to return until 1655, when Oliver Cromwell allowed them to return. 

This exile was in effect during Shakespeare's time. Some scholars believe that some Jews lived around London and pretended to be Christians. 

Renaissance Christians disliked the Jews because they (Jews) wanted to practice usury —the practice of charging interest on borrowed money. 

Christians were against usury.

Characters Shylock Shylock is a Jewish moneylender in Venice. Being mistreated at the hands of Venice’s Christians, particularly Antonio, Shylock planned to take a lasting revenge by cruelly demanding a pound of Antonio’s flesh as payment.

Although he is depicted as inhumane monster, he was quite human at sometimes. He used fluent expressions of hatred. He is one of the most memorable characters of Shakespeare.

Portia She is a wealthy heiress from Belmont (southern Italy) . She was bound by a clause in her father’s will that forces her to marry any suitor who correctly chooses among three caskets. Portia was able to marry Bassanio, her true love. 

Disguised as a young lawyer, she saves Antonio from the knife of Shylock.

Antonio Antonio is the merchant whose love for Bassanio, his friend, leads him to sign Shylock’s contract. He was about to lose his life. Antonio is a mercurial figure. Shylock believes that Antonio dislikes the Jews.

Bassanio Bassanio is a gentleman of Venice. He is a relative and close friend to Antonio. His love for the wealthy Portia leads him to borrow money from Shylock. Antonio was his guarantor. He proved himself to be a worthy suitor and correctly identified the casket (ornamental box) which contains Portia’s portrait.

Gratiano A friend of Bassanio’s. He accompanies him to Belmont. A talkative young man.   Gratiano falls in love with Portia’s servant, Nerissa.

Jessica  Shylock’s daughter, does not like to live in her father’s house. She elopes with Lorenzo, the young Christian gentleman. The characters wonder if her marriage can overcome the fact that she was born a Jew.

Lorenzo Bassanio’s and Antonio’s friend. is in love with Jessica. Plans to help Jessica escape from her father’s house. elopes with her to Belmont.

Nerissa Portia’s servant confidante. marries Gratiano. Accompanies Portia on Portia’s trip to Venice by disguising herself as her law clerk

Launcelot Gobbo Originally Shylock’s servant. He thinks Shylock is the devil. He leaves Shylock's service and becomes Bassanio's clown.

The prince of Morocco One of Portia's suitors; loses the chance to marry her when he chooses the golden casket.

The prince of Arragon Another suitor of Portia. He chooses the silver casket.

Salarino A friend to Antonio, Bassanio, and Lorenzo. Accompanies the newlyweds Jessica and Lorenzo to Belmont. returns with Bassanio and Gratiano for Antonio’s trial.

Tubal A Jew in Venice and a friend of Shylock. He tells him that one of Antonio's ships has been wrecked.