Structural Analysis

Chronological Order

The Merchant of Venice is told chronologically, with each event being presented in the order which it occurred. While this is a simple and common way of presenting storylines, structuring the story in this manner works to build suspense. The reader of the play knows that something is going to happen, but what that "something" is, they do not know. In order to get to this "something," they must read the story all the way through. As the reader is reading, they are aware that each occurrence has some connection with what the end result will be, providing for more expectation about the resolution of the plot. Shakespeare employs this type of structure for majority of his plays, and it helps to build the dramatic, suspenseful anticipation of the audience which he desires.

Plot

There will be spoilers... Shakespeare's play is told chronologically, and thus it follows the basic sequence of a plot:

• Exposition: The audience is first introduced to Antonio and his friends. His friends are  trying to make sense of his melancholy attitude and find out what is wrong. They find that Antonio is worried about his ships (and essentially his wealth) which are out at sea, and he is unsure whether or not they will make it to their destinations. These ships play a central role in the play because their destiny becomes tied to Antonio's destiny as the plot unfolds. Shortly after, the audience meets Antonio's dearest friend, Bassanio, who he finds out is in love with beautiful Portia, but does not have enough money to go out and see her and show her that he is worth her love. Antonio agrees to loan Bassanio some money to help him out. This results in the two going to the bitter Jew, Shylock, to secure the loan. They make a deal, so that Antonio will not have to pay interest to the Jew, which entitles Shylock to a pound of Antonio's flesh if he does not give him his money back by a certain date. Antonio foolishly agrees.
• Rising Action: All is going well for Bassanio with his lovely Portia, however news is heard that Antonio's ships have crashed, meaning he has no money to pay Shylock back, unbeknownst to Bassanio. While Bassanio earns the right to marry Portia, Shylock has Antonio brought to the Duke so that Shylock can get his "justice." As soon as Bassanio finds out about what is going on, he rushes back to be with Antonio before he is basically killed (not even Superman can survive losing a pound of flesh).
• Climax: HOWEVER, Bassanio has obviously made a very good choice in a wife, because she, and her best friend Nerissa, wittingly come up with a plan to save the day. Dressed as men, the two women fool the court and get them to believe that they are friends of Doctor Bellario, who cannot make it to the trial, but authorizes his "friends" to take part in the trial in his place. Portia cleverly finds a way to not only save Antonio from losing a pound of flesh but to properly punish Shylock for his spiteful acts. And the women save the day. Again.
• Closing Action: Always saintly, Antonio offers to give back to Shylock some of what he would lose if he agreed with Portia's deal in exchange that he converts to Christianity and puts his runaway daughter and her Christian husband back in his will. Shylock agrees, and Antonio returns back home with his rescued friend so that Antonio can meet Bassanio's wife.
• Denouement: The cleverness continues as Portia and Nerissa decide on a way that they can let their husbands know their role in saving Antonio's life. They get the two men to give the women, who they still think are men, their wedding rings as payment for their helping Antonio. Portia and Nerissa rush home ahead of their husbands, discard their menswear, and wait patiently for their husbands' arrival. When the men return home, Portia and Nerissa pitch a fit about the giving away of their rings, and in turn give the men back the rings which they allegedly "gave away." They shrewdly make the men aware that they were the legal experts that stepped in and saved Antonio's life. Gratiano and Bassanio then express their incredulity, and soon after their desire to sleep with the clever "men" who saved their friend's life. the end.

Sources:

Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. No Fear Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice. New

                York: Spark Publishing, 2003.
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