Comedy

So, The Merchant of Venice was pretty funny.  It was definitely a lot easier for me to catch all of the jokes used throughout the play, and it helped when there was a big set-up to the punchline.

Much of this play, of course, revolves around the three thousand ducat debt.  By the end, you kind of even forget Bassanio winning the right to marry Portia.  In the beginning, I totally agree with Sarah's post about the onset of the said debt.  You can see her's here:
http://zittingsarah232.blogspot.com/2012/01/christ-like-love.html

I find it interesting, however, that it changed so much so quickly at the end.  Through one misfortune after another, Antonio is bankrupt and cannot pay.  Then, Bassanio steps in with the needed money.  However, Shylock really does play the devil and insists on the flesh.  And then it all comes to a quick and convenient conclusion through the crafty words of Portia.  I, for one, felt a bit bad for Shylock--everyone conspired against him.  He, of course, wanted revenge too much, but being forced to change religion even?  That brings to mind the scene from The Fiddler on the Roof where Tevye finally exclaims "No! There is no other hand!" Here's the audio for his internal struggle over Chava converting to Christianity:

On the other hand, Shylock had definitely been more concerned about his money than Jessica's conversion, so maybe it wasn't such a big deal to him really.

Now, for some more comedy, as the title says.

Here were some of the scenes I found to be humorous:
     1. Portia says that the Neapolitan Prince speaks only of his horse.  Anybody else think of the Dauphin from Henry V?
     2. Tubal and Shylock's conversation.  I really think the audience enjoyed Tubal's character.  He switches from one sort of bad news about Jessica's spending habits directly to "good" news about Antonio's misfortune, and then switches back again.  I got a very clear picture in my mind about the drastic facial changes Shylock should go through after every sentence Tubal speaks.
     3. Of course, the court scene.  Again, the audience would have loved Portia and Nerissa's entrance.  And then the part with them taking the rings and, back-to-back before that, having their husbands say something about basically giving them up for Antonio's sake while they are standing right there.  Poor guys.  They'll definitely be scrubbing toilets this weekend.

Of course, there were many funny bits and others that I would like to look into more, but I won't go over all the small lines, nor will I delve into anything else right now.  That can be for my "Post-Class Reflection" that I want to start up.