Comedy is a stage play which is full of humour and laughter. But Shakespeare’s comedies possess a strong and well developed love interest along with certain complications of plot, disguises and various other devices one essential trait of comedy is the absence of death.

The Merchant of Venice has two main reasons in favour of its being a comedy. First is the element of love, a romantic theme and second is its happy end with the hero victorious and the villain vanguished. By the end of the play the three pairs of lovers are happily united and all obstacles in the path of true love are removed. Portia and Bassanio are united to each other. Their pretended quarrel over the wedding rings comes to an end. The shadow of Antonio’s possible death, that hangs over their happiness is also removed. In the same way the love affairs of Gratiano and Nerissa are fulfilled after Bassanio wins the hand of Portia. By the trick of Antonio all the property of Shylock is gifted to Lorenzo and thus Lorenzo becomes a rich man. Thus the union of the three pairs of lovers make the play essentially a comedy.

Another characteristic of comedy–frequent interludes which cause laughter is also found in the play. The actions and words of Lorenzo are a source of perpetual laughter. Portia’s comments also frequently force the audience to laugh. Finally, the entire ring episode is designed to create laughter and to destroy the tension generated by the trial scene.

But some critics see the another side of Shylock and feel that Shylock is turned into a cruel and malicious man. Thus the critics who feel sympathy for Shylock view the. play as a tragi comedy while those who have no sympathy for him see the play as a pure comedy.