The Comedy of Errors

The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays and is a comedy that incorporates slapstick humor, farce, and wordplay. Its first recorded performance was in 1594, and it has been performed and adapted numerous times since then. Its title has entered into the English lexicon: The phrase “comedy of errors” means a situation caused by many mistakes.

The play follows the story of two sets of identical twins who also share the same names. Separated at birth in a shipwreck, they find themselves in the same city without realizing it. This leads to a string of mishaps arising from mistaken identity, with escalating consequences, including apparent infidelity and theft, accusations of “madness,” and supernatural possession. Only the reunification of their family can restore order amid the chaos. The play explores The Nature of Identity, The Importance of Commerce and Wealth, and The Problem of Rifts in Interpersonal Relationships.

This guide is based on the 1991 reprint of The Arden Shakespeare edition edited by R. A. Foakes.

Content Warning: The source material and guide include mentions of death, violence (as a source of humor), and mental illness. 

Language Note: The play includes period-typical depictions of mental illness, such as the use of the term “madness” to denote seemingly erratic behavior.

Plot Summary

The cities of Ephesus and Syracuse are enemies. Solinus, the Duke of Ephesus, passes a sentence of death on Egeon, a Syracusian merchant, for coming to the city. Egeon explains he traveled here on a quest to reunite his family. While traveling for trade many years ago, he and his wife had twin boys. The night of their birth, a poor woman in the same inn also had twin boys, whom she couldn’t afford to care for. Egeon bought them to raise them as servants for his sons. 

When the family was returning home on a sea voyage, their ship was destroyed in a storm. Egeon was swept in one direction with one of each set of twins, and his wife was swept in the other direction with the other two babies. He hasn’t seen them since. The babies he kept have the same names as their lost brothers. Now an adult, his son wants to find his lost sibling and his mother, so Egeon set out some years ago to search in vain. Solinus expresses his sympathy, but insists that unless the ransom is paid, Egeon will be executed.

Oblivious to his father’s presence, Antipholus of Syracuse arrives in Ephesus on his travels to find his twin. He sends his servant Dromio of Syracuse to stow his money in an inn. Unbeknownst to them, their twins live in Ephesus. Dromio of Ephesus approaches Antipholus, and asks him to come home to his wife for dinner. He denies all knowledge of the money, angering and confusing Antipholus.

Adriana is upset that her husband, Antipholus of Ephesus, has not come home. Her sister, Luciana, argues that she should let him do as he pleases without jealousy, in keeping with wifely duty. Dromio of Ephesus reports his conversation with Antipholus, in which he denied being married. Adriana feels helpless and neglected.

Antipholus of Syracuse meets Dromio of Syracuse in the street, who of course does not remember the conversation he had with the other Dromio, frustrating them both. Adriana and Luciana approach and address them by name. Adriana calls Antipholus her husband, asking him to come home for dinner. She and Luciana chide him for his behavior when he says she is a stranger. Though he is confused, he believes they are sincere and decides to play along. He and Dromio wonder if magic or witches are present.

Antipholus of Ephesus brings some friends home for dinner, accompanied by Dromio of Ephesus. However, they are barred from entering. Their identical counterparts are already inside but, separated by a wall, no one realizes what is happening. Antipholus of Ephesus is furious. He tells the goldsmith, Angelo, to bring the gold chain he’d ordered for Adriana: To spite her, he plans to give it to the Courtesan instead. They depart to dine with her.

Inside the house, Antipholus of Syracuse propositions Luciana. Shocked, she reminds him that she is his sister-in-law and leaves. Dromio of Syracuse runs in. He is horrified that one of the kitchen maids has claimed they are married: She seems to know him intimately, but he finds her repulsive. He and Antipholus fear that they are surrounded by magic; Antipholus resolves to flee and sends Dromio to find out which ships depart soon. Outside, Angelo approaches Antipholus and gives him the chain.

Later, a merchant comes to collect a debt from Angelo, bringing an Officer to arrest him if it’s not settled. Angelo says Antipholus owes him the same for the chain, so the three of them go to find him. They find Antipholus of Ephesus as he sends Dromio of Ephesus off to buy rope, which he plans to use on Adriana and everyone who barred him from home. However, Antipholus of Ephesus refuses to pay, as he claims he hasn’t received the chain. Angelo instructs the Officer to arrest him. Dromio of Syracuse enters, reporting that he has found a ship to leave on. Antipholus, furious, says he sent him for a rope. However, he tells him to forget that and go to Adriana’s to collect money for his bail.

Luciana tells Adriana about Antipholus propositioning her, relaying that it would have been quite convincing if it hadn’t been for the terrible circumstances. Adriana is distraught. Dromio of Syracuse runs in. He requests money for Antipholus’s bail, revealing that he is in debt for a chain, which Adriana notes she has not received. Distressed, she sends him out with the money.

Dromio of Syracuse finds Antipholus of Syracuse in the street, apparently never having been arrested to start with. They both fear sorcery is at play. The Courtesan finds them and asks Antipholus for the chain he is wearing: He took her ring earlier, promising her the chain in return. He denies all knowledge of this, and he and Dromio flee, convinced she is a witch trying to trick them. The Courtesan concludes that Antipholus must have gone “mad,” but notes that she can’t afford to lose her ring. She decides to tell Adriana that her husband snatched it from her in a fit. 

Dromio of Ephesus approaches Antipholus of Ephesus, still with the Officer. He presents him with a rope, infuriating Antipholus, who was expecting money for bail. Adriana, Luciana, and the Courtesan enter, with Pinch, a dubious doctor. Adriana asks Pinch to cure her husband, and he begins an exorcism. There is widespread confusion as Adriana and Luciana agree that they sent Dromio with the bail money, which he denies. Pinch says both men are possessed; he has them tied up and taken away to be locked up. Antipholus rages at Adriana, thinking she is orchestrating everything to spite him.

Adriana assures the Officer that she will settle Antipholus’s debt. They discuss the chain, wondering what has happened. Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse rush in with their swords drawn; everyone flees.

Antipholus and Dromio then happen upon Angelo and the merchant he owes money. They see the chain around his neck, which he apparently denied receiving earlier, and draw weapons. Adriana and her companions rush in to try to recapture Antipholus and Dromio, but they escape into an abbey. The Abbess emerges, refusing to send them out or allow Adriana in.

Just then, Solinus and his guards pass by, taking Egeon to his execution. Adriana appeals for his support, explaining that her husband has gone “mad.” Everyone is shocked when Antipholus of Ephesus and Dromio of Ephesus appear as if by magic from another direction. Confusion reigns as everyone has a different version of events. Egeon is overjoyed: He says Antipholus will pay his ransom, as he is his son. However, Antipholus has never seen him before.

The Abbess emerges again, bringing out Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Syracuse. She reveals that she is Emilia, Egeon’s lost wife. Everyone realizes that there have been two sets of twins running about, causing the confusion. Accounts are settled, and Solinus spares Egeon’s life. Emilia invites everyone in for a celebratory feast.