Antonio's Use Of Mistaken Identities In Tothello

One of the most comedic aspects of the play would Shakespeare’s use of mistaken identities. We see Portia and Nerissa disguised as a judges clerk and doctor during Antonio’s trial. In act 4 scene 1 lines 293-298 Bassanio says “Antonio, I am married to a wife which is dear to me as life itself, but life itself, my wife, and all the world are not with me esteemed above thy life. I would lose all, ay, sacrifice them all here to this devil, to deliver you.” Here, Bassanio is telling his closest friend, Antonio, that he would lose anything for him even his wife, although, he does not realize his wife is in the room with him. His wife Portia, disguised as doctor hearing this replies on line 300-301, “Your wife would give you little thanks for that if

Later in act 4 we see Portia and Nerissa ask Bassanio and Gratiano for their rings as repayment for their help in the trial. Bassanio is hesitant to give away the ring, until Antonio influences him to do so.

Gratiano also gives his ring away to Nerissa, disguised as the judges clerk. Portia and Nerissa return to Belmont and tell nobody to speak of their absence. When the husbands return they question where their rings have gone, and suggest they may have given them to other women. The comedic aspect of this situation shows the audience seeing a connection the characters don’t. They know the Portia and Nerissa were in disguise and it is funny to see them poking fun at their husbands for giving it away, although they really gave the rings back to their wives. Furthermore, not only are there funny situations, but there is a funny