The Merchant of Venice is one of the Shakespear’ most popular romantic comedies. Shakespear’ romantic comedies contain recognizable plot devices, character types and story development that make them both familiar and enduring. The main plot involves young lovers who overcome the barriers that stand in their way. The Merchant of Venice interweaves three love stories
- Love story of Portia and Bassanio,
- Love story of Nerissa and Gratiano, and
- Love story of Jessica and Lorenzo.
In this play Portia occupies the place of heroine and she meets three challenges in three plots-
- in the Casket plot she fulfills her father’* will to marry the man she loves,
- in the Trial plot she restores her husband’* honour by reaching the court in lead the case of Antonio and thus defeats Shylock and
- in Ring plot she teaches her husband that he loves her more than he does to Antonio.
The final demonstration of her intelligence, integrity, passion, wit and virtue ensures a happy marriage for,
- Nerissa and Gratiano,
- Jessica and Lorenzo and
- herself and Bassanio.
The romantic comedy ends here with all three couples married. Thus the reason of popularity of Merchant of Venice is easily recognised. It is a play with rich romantic elements that raises complex issues of justice, mercy and the bonds that join people together.
