Thoughts on Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

I have never read The Merchant of Venice before and like most of Shakespeare's other works, I have a lot of trouble understanding the language and have to read it over a couple of times to fully grasp the concept of each play. From the beginning, however, I am completely curious as to what it is that Antonio is complaining about. My initial thought was that it might have to deal with love or a woman, because Shakespeare is known for writing plays about love. I then come to learn that Antonio deals with overseas trade and mainly works with investments. I found this interesting, because it related to times now and how many business men worry about their companies being successful. It sounded just like something that would happen nowadays to people that deal with large companies. Antonio goes on to say that he is only a player in a play and is destined to play a sad part;
"I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano;
A stage where every man must play a part,
And mine a sad one."
I found this interesting at first, because it sounded like Antonio is constantly looking for pity.

Portia was a very interesting character to me. I almost felt a little sorry for her however. Because of her father's death, she feels she is unable to find a suitor for herself that would match up to her father's potential. I actually found it quite comical that she decided that each possible suitor must choose between the three chests; one of gold, one of silver and one of lead, in order to find the chest that contains her portrait. Obviously, the man who guesses correctly would receive her hand in marriage. I found it very funny that each suitor that fails would then have to swear never to marry anyone. Having that in the back of your mind, I'm sure anyone would be afraid to fail. I also found it funny how Portia found a flaw in each one of her suitors. I was not sure if that was because she didn't think any of them would match up in her dead father's eyes, or whether she just had Bassanio in the back of her mind the whole time. I liked how she described that the Neapolitan prince was faulted because he was too fond of his horse; "for he doth nothing but talk of his horse". The Palatine count for being too serious; "He doth nothing but frown." The Englishman as not being able to communicate in Italian or any other languages that Portia is able to speak; "You know I say nothing to him, for he understands not me, nor I him: he hath neither Latin, French, nor Italian." I found how she described each fault of the men to be hilarious. Even though none of the suitors dare to try and guess the chests, because of the fear of failing, Portia is obviously relieved.

I am enjoying this play so far, and am finding it very comical in many different aspects. It has a very dry sense of humor I feel, especially coming from Portia's character when it comes to her finding a sufficient suitor.