The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, but it is incorrect to consider it a student’s work. It was first printed in the First Folio in 1623, and the earliest known presentation is recorded at Grace’s Inn, one of London’s law schools, on December 28, 1594. However, the thematic similarities to other plays have led many scholars to speculate that it was written several years before this performance.

The play bears a striking resemblance to Menakhmi, a play by the Roman playwright Plautus. Shakespeare must have read the original Latin play, as the English version did not appear until 1595. The plot of Menahmi is as follows: a Syracusan merchant with twin sons takes one of them on a trip abroad. During the trip, his seven-year-old son is separated from his father and ends up being raised by a childless merchant. The father is heartbroken and dies a few days later, and his son, along with the merchant, goes to Epidamnum. When word of this reaches Syracuse, the second brother’s name is changed to that of his missing brother.

The play is set many years later when Menachmus of Syracuse arrives at Epidamnum. He is warmly welcomed by everyone and given many free gifts, including sexual intercourse with his brother’s mistress. They eventually meet and decide to return to Syracuse, after which the brother sells all his possessions, including his wife, "if there is a buyer for her."

Shakespeare took much of his plot from this story, but added a few key changes. He moved the action to Ephesus, which is more associated with magical arts and early Christianity. He also added twin servants for humorous content, borrowing them from another play by Plautus, Amphitruo.

The dramatic element is enhanced by Shakespeare because he incorporates the intense rivalry between the cities of Syracuse and Ephesus into the play. Thus, Aegeon is captured and condemned according to an inexorable law. At the end of the play, he is led to his execution, which raises the stakes on resolving the plot. In addition, it is he who benefits the most after reuniting with his loved ones.

The only authoritative source for the text of the play is the First Folio of 1623. It is assumed that the text was based on Shakespeare’s autograph, as several references and indications to the scene indicate a knowledge of the play that only Shakespeare could have had. For example, scene references point to characters such as "a schoolteacher called Pynch" or "the wife of Antipholus Sereptus". Since there is no mention in the dialogue of Pynch being a schoolteacher, or of the surname Sereptus, it has been suggested that these are Shakespeare’s original instructions.

List of characters

Solinus

Duke of Ephesus.

Aegeon

a merchant from Syracuse and the father of the Antipholus twins, he is sentenced to death unless he can provide a thousand marks as collateral. Luckily, he eventually reunites with his family and thus escapes punishment.

Antipholus of Ephesus

One of the twins of Antipholus, he is married to Adrian. He first made a golden necklace for his wife and then was locked in his house when his twin brother arrived.

Antipholus of Syracuse

One of Antipholus’ twins, his arrival in Ephesus leads the townspeople to confuse him with his twin brother. He has lunch with his brother’s wife Adriana and is later reunited with Aegeon.

Dromio of Ephesus

Servant of Antipholus of Ephesus and twin of Dromio of Syracuse.

Dromio of Syracuse

Servant of Antipholus of Syracuse and twin of Dromio of Ephesus.

Adriana

Wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, mistakenly brings Antipholus of Syracuse to her house and locks up her real husband.

Lucian

Adriana’s sister, with whom Antipholus of Syracuse falls in love.

Nell

Adriana’s cook.

Angelo

A jeweler who, at the request of Antipholus of Ephesus, makes a necklace for Adriana.

Balthazar

A merchant whom Antipholus of Ephesus invites to his house. Nell and Adriana refuse to let him in, embarrassing Antipholus.

Courtesan

A courtesan whom Antipholus of Syracuse inappropriately promises a golden necklace.

Doctor Pinch

A schoolteacher and exorcist, he is asked to exorcise demons from Antipholus of Ephesus, whom Adriana thinks is insane.

Ephesian merchant

A friend of Antipholus of Syracuse, he warns him that Ephesus will put to death any native of Syracuse.

Second merchant

Lender Angelo

Abbess

Known as Aemilia, abbess at Ephesus and wife of Aegeon.