The Merchant of Venice Is a Tragicomedy....I Got 32/35 so...

A tragedy is a drama or literary work in which the protagonist is brought to ruin or suffers sorrow, especially as a consequence of tragic flaw or moral weakness. Where as, a comedy is a drama or literary work, that is light and often humorous or satirical in tone and it usually contains a happy resolution of the thematic conflict. Thus, a tragicomedy is a fictional work that blends aspects of the genres tragedy and comedy. In Shakespeare’s time a tragicomedy referred to a serious play with a happy ending or enough jokes throughout the play to lighten the mood. I consider the ‘Merchant of Venice’ by William Shakespeare a tragicomedy as both tragedy and comedy can be seen throughout the play. There are many factors that give proof to this†¦show more content†¦Also, when Bassanio tells Antonio that he is somewhat disturbed with the deal, Antonio ignores this as he is confident his ship will return in time. This is seen when Bassanio says, â€Å"I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind,† and Antonio replies saying, â€Å"Come on. In this there can be no dismay. My ships come home a month before the day,† It can be said that these flaws of Antonio has caused Shylocks hatred of him. These flaws of Antonio have caused Shylock to want a pound of his flesh. If it were not for Antonio’s tragic flaws, he would not have been in the situation that almost caused his death. Additionally, another factor of a tragedy is the struggle the tragic hero has to go through because of his tragic flaw and through this struggle he or she is able to change, usually for the better. Because of his tragic flaw Antonio made a deal with Shylock that if Antonio did not pay him the three thousand ducats he had borrowed within the three months then Shylock was allowed to take a pound of Antonio’s flesh. This is seen when Shylock says, â€Å" Three thousand ducats for three months†¦a pound of man’s flesh taken from a man,† Antonio was sure that he would have gotten his ships a month before his payment day was sue, however, this did not happen. This is seen when Bassanio read a letter that says, â€Å"Sweet Bassanio, my ships have all miscarried†¦my bond to the Jew is forfeit,† Antonio now owes Shylock a pound of his