Merchant+of+Venice

Let us examine Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and look at the characteristics that determine the structure of the play.

In the exposition or the introduction what do we learn?

We are introduced to the plot. Here we see at least two conflicts:

1) Between Shylock and Antonio (Scenes I and III)

2) Portia’s Marriage (Scene II)

These events give us an insight to the purpose of the events.

We are introduced to the main characters of the play in the exposition. Some of them are,
 * Antonio
 * Bassanio
 * Gratiano
 * Shylock
 * Portia
 * Nerissa

There are two settings we are introduced to

1) Belmont's sitting a very fancy and fairy ‘tailish’ place ideal for a comedy.

2) Venice that represents real life with traders and merchants ideal setting for a tragedy.

<span style="color: #214fe8; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 20px;">Rising Action: There are many obstacles that a protagonist must face when reaching his goal. In this play, we see that Antonio’s ships which are the only means by which he can pay Shylock’s debt, is reported lost in the sea.

<span style="color: #214fe8; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 20px;">Climax: This is a turning point in the play where changes may take place for better or worse. In this play, Portia comes to Antonio’s rescue to plead in his behalf by disguising herself as a man of law.

<span style="color: #214fe8; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 20px;">Falling Action: Shylock is given orders to give up all his possessions and convert to be a Christian. Portia and Nerissa convince their husbands to hand over their rings.

<span style="color: #214fe8; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 20px;">Denouement: The conclusion of the play shows that everything is in harmony. All return to Belmont and the couples are reconciled.