Shakespeare uses similar comic elements to effect
similar outcomes in his works. Many of his plays
utilize trickery and disguise to accomplish similar
endings.
Trickery plays a major role in The Merchant of
Venice and drives most of the action, while mistaken
identity, specifically Portia's disguise as the
'learned attorney's' representative, plays a major
role in the resolution of the play. The first
instance of trickery in the play is Bassanio's plan to
present himself as a financially sound suitor, when in
truth, he is not.
Bassanio believes that he would stand a very good
chance of b…
