1.The Merchant of Venice as a Tragicomedy. 2. The justification of Shylock's actions in 'The Merchant of Venice'. 3.The contrast between Belmont and Venice in 'The Merchant of Venice'

** Consider the play as a tragicomedy Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' is a comedy with a difference. It was written almost certainly between 1596 & 1598. The play is classed as one of the 16 comedy plays but it is also a 'problem' play due to the tragic elements woven throughout the intricate plot. The play concludes with a harmonious ending but all through the plot, reoccurring themes of sadness and tragedy are included. In terms of dramatic …

…clearly extend its influence over Venice. The theme of mercy comes with Portia from Belmont and eventually spreads over Venice. Shakespeare is a shrewd dramatic engineer and in words of Joan Holmer he "fashions an artistic unity out of the richly varied and often contradictory elements that constitute The Merchant of Venice". By creating, a difference between Venice and Belmont Shakespeare makes the play even more appealing and as readers, we sure can appreciate this.