The Merchant of Venice as an Elizabethan Comedy

The Merchant of Venice as an Elizabethan Comedy

 

Introduction

The Merchant of Venice is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays and is often classified as a comedy. It was written during the Elizabethan Age, a time when comedy had a specific meaning. Elizabethan comedies usually ended in marriage, had moments of mistaken identity, clever wordplay, and joyful resolution. They also involved social harmony and emotional balance. Though The Merchant of Venice contains serious themes and emotional tension, it follows many features of Elizabethan comedy. It includes romantic love, friendship, disguise, dramatic irony, and a happy ending. Yet, it also has dark undertones, especially in the character of Shylock and the courtroom scene. So, while the play fits the comic tradition, it also challenges it.

 

Comic Structure and Happy Ending

One of the most important features of Elizabethan comedy is a happy ending, often marked by marriages or reunions. In The Merchant of Venice, the play ends with three couples—Bassanio and Portia, Gratiano and Nerissa, and Lorenzo and Jessica—united in love. The serious threat of Antonio losing his life is removed by a clever legal trick. Antonio’s lost ships return safely, and harmony is restored in both Venice and Belmont. This return to order after conflict is a key feature of Elizabethan comedy. The ending brings together love, friendship, and forgiveness, which confirms the comic structure of the play, despite the dark middle scenes.

 

Romantic Plots and Love Marriages

Elizabethan comedies usually include romantic plots that involve young lovers facing obstacles. In the play, Bassanio wants to marry Portia, but must first prove his worth. Portia is bound by her father’s will, which forces her suitors to choose among three caskets. This kind of test adds suspense and moral depth to the romantic storyline. Bassanio chooses the lead casket, showing inner wisdom rather than outward greed. The love between Lorenzo and Jessica also adds to the romantic tone. Their elopement brings a sense of adventure and rebellion. The combination of love, tests, and eventual union fits well within the comic tradition of the Elizabethan stage.

 

Disguise and Comic Devices

Another common element in Elizabethan comedy is the use of disguise and dramatic irony. In the courtroom scene, Portia disguises herself as a young male lawyer to save Antonio. This scene combines wit, surprise, and clever reasoning. It also allows a woman to control the outcome of a legal and moral battle. Disguise brings comedy, especially when the male characters do not recognize Portia and Nerissa in their new roles. The ring subplot that follows—where the wives test their husbands—adds humour and playfulness. Such comic tricks, based on identity and confusion, were popular on the Elizabethan stage and are used effectively here.

 

Friendship and Comic Bonds

Elizabethan comedies often focus on loyalty and friendship, especially among men. The strong bond between Antonio and Bassanio is central to the play. Antonio risks his wealth and life for Bassanio’s happiness. Their deep friendship reflects the high value placed on male bonds during the Renaissance. Gratiano and Lorenzo also show loyalty to their friends and lovers. The world of the play shows how misunderstandings and risks are repaired through forgiveness and love. The emotional depth of friendship supports the lighter themes of love and romance, and this combination creates a balanced comic world.

 

Use of Wit and Language

Clever language, wordplay, and wit are important in Elizabethan comedies. The Merchant of Venice contains many examples of sharp dialogue and humorous exchanges. Portia uses wit when mocking her suitors and later in the courtroom. Gratiano provides light-hearted jokes and comic relief. Launcelot Gobbo, the clown figure, adds wordplay and comic confusion in the lower-class scenes. These elements of verbal humour are a hallmark of Elizabethan comedy. They provide entertainment while also expressing deeper meanings. Shakespeare uses witty exchanges not just for laughter but to show character and emotion.

 

Shylock and the Serious Undercurrent

Despite its comic elements, the play has a serious and even tragic undercurrent, especially in the character of Shylock. His demand for a pound of flesh, his deep hatred, and his final defeat do not fit the joyful tone of most comedies. The forced conversion of Shylock to Christianity and the loss of his wealth have troubled many modern readers. His famous speech—“Hath not a Jew eyes?”—shows that he is more than just a villain. He is also a man wounded by prejudice and isolation. While Shylock is punished according to the comic tradition, his suffering adds a level of tragedy. This makes the play unique among Elizabethan comedies, as it mixes light and dark emotions.

 

Setting and Symbolism

The play moves between Venice, a world of business, law, and risk, and Belmont, a world of music, beauty, and romance. This contrast between places reflects the blend of serious and comic moods. Belmont is where love is tested and rewarded. Venice is where justice is tested and mercy is revealed. The caskets, the bond, and the rings all carry deeper meanings. The gold and silver caskets stand for wealth and false values, while the lead casket represents inner worth. These symbolic elements are typical of Elizabethan comedy, where physical objects carry moral lessons. Shakespeare uses setting and symbol to build a world where love and justice must find balance.

 

Conclusion
The Merchant of Venice can be called an Elizabethan comedy because it contains all the key elements of the genre—love plots, disguise, wit, happy endings, and the restoration of order. It follows the comic pattern of conflict followed by resolution. However, the play also goes beyond simple laughter. It includes serious questions about justice, mercy, and prejudice. The character of Shylock adds emotional depth and moral complexity. Shakespeare creates a world that reflects the joy and pain of real life. He uses comedy to entertain and to teach. As a result, The Merchant of Venice remains one of the richest and most thought-provoking comedies of the Elizabethan stage.

References
Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the English-Speaking World. Anboco, 2016.
Sanders, Andrew. The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Bradley, A. C. Shakespearean Tragedy and Other Lectures. Macmillan, 1904.
Brown, John Russell. Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice. Cambridge University Press, 2000.

 

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