Evaluate The Merchant of Venice as a Tragicomedy

Answer

Evaluate “The Merchant of Venice” as a tragicomedy. 

Or, “The Merchant of Venice’ is the finest example of tragi-comedy that we possess.” Discuss. 

A tragicomedy is a special type of drama that mixes both tragic (sad) and comic (funny) elements in the same story. In a tragicomedy, the characters may go through serious problems. But the story usually ends happily. “The Merchant of Venice,” written between 1596-98, is one of the finest examples of a tragicomedy. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) perfectly blends romantic and miserable events in this play. Let us see how this play is a successful tragicomedy.

Serious Problem of Antonio: In “The Merchant of Venice,” the story starts with a serious problem. Antonio is a rich merchant. But all his ships are at sea. He has no money in hand. His friend Bassanio needs money to go to Belmont and marry Portia. To help his friend, Antonio borrows money from Shylock. Shylock does not like Antonio. He wants to harm him. As Shylock reveals his intention to the audience:

 “If I can catch him [Antonio] once upon the hip,

I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.”

So, Shylock agrees to give Antonio the loan under a strange condition. He says if Antonio fails to repay the loan in time, Shylock will take “a pound of flesh” from Antonio’s body. This makes the story very serious. It shows the tragic side of the play.

Funny Love Stories: There are also many funny and happy parts in the play. Portia is a rich and beautiful lady. She has many suitors. They must choose between three caskets (gold, silver, and lead) to win her hand. The Princes of Morocco and Aragon choose wrongly. This wrong choice creates funny moments. Bassanio chooses the lead casket and wins Portia’s love. Portia declares her love and devotion to Bassanio. She says:

“Myself and what is mine to you and yours

Is now converted.”

At the same time,