Plot summary: The Comedy of Errors
Act I
Set in Ephesus, the play begins on a serious note with the Duke of Ephesus
condemning the Syracusian merchant Aegeon to death, as there is currently a law
forbidding citizens of Syracuse to visit Ephesus and vice versa, because of strife
between the cities, unless they can pay a penalty of a thousand marks. A
egeon then relates to the Duke what led him to take such a risk: he has come in
search of his son, Antipholus. He explains that originally he was happily married
with twin sons and that he bought twin brothers to be servants to his own sons.
While on a voyage home from Epidamnum, while the boys were babies, the
family were separated in a shipwreck. His wife Aemilia, one son and one servant
were taken up by fishers of Corinth, whereas Aegeon and the other son and
servant were rescued by another ship that took them home. When Antipholus of
Syracuse reached the age of eighteen, he set out in search of his brother and
mother, with his servant Dromio. This was a number of years ago and Aegeon
has been looking for them. Giving up hope, he announces his willingness to die.
We then see Antipholus of Syracuse, who, coincidentally, has just arrived in
Ephesus. He sends Dromio to their inn with a purse of money. The first confusion
occurs when Dromio of Ephesus enters and, mistaking Antipholus for his brother
of Ephesus, attempts to persuade him to come home to dinner. When questioned
as to what he has done with the money he was given, Dromio of course disclaims
all knowledge of it and is beaten.
Act II
Adriana, the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, laments her husband’s lateness and
complains to her sister Luciana about the way she is treated. Luciana argues that
women should be patient with men because men are superior to women. Dromio
of Ephesus enters and is beaten again by Adriana for bringing the bad news that
his ‘master’ has denied knowledge of his wife and house and asked him for a
thousand marks of gold.
In the next scene, Antipholus of Syracuse meets up with Dromio of Syracuse and
berates and beats him for denying knowledge of the money. Dromio complains in
vain that he knows nothing about this. Adriana and Luciana enter to persuade
them to come ‘home’ to dinner. Although confused and wondering if he is
dreaming or mad, Antipholus agrees, hoping to find out what is going on!
Act III
Antipholus of Ephesus enters for the first time, slightly puzzled by Dromio of
Ephesus’ insistence that his master beat him, asked him for a thousand marks in
gold and repudiated all knowledge of his wife and household. He has invited
Angelo, a goldsmith, and Balthasar, a merchant, home to dinner. His
embarrassment is therefore all the greater when he is denied entry to his house,
his wife being convinced that he and Dromio are already inside. To punish his
wife, Antipholus decides to visit ‘a wench of excellent discourse’ and to bestow
upon her the chain that he had asked Angelo to make for his wife. He requests
Angelo to bring it to him at the Porpentine, the Courtesan’s house.
Meanwhile, Luciana tries to persuade Antipholus of Syracuse to treat ‘his wife’
with at least a semblance of courtesy. To her horror, Antipholus declares his love
for her. She leaves and Dromio of Syracuse enters, complaining to his master
that one of the kitchen wenches is claiming him sexually. They decide to leave,
despite Antipholus’ attraction to Luciana, and Antipholus sends Dromio to the bay
to see about a ship. Antipholus meets Angelo, who gives him the chain destined
for Antipholus of Ephesus to give the Courtesan and declines payment, thinking
he will receive it at another time.
Act IV
Angelo is importuned for money by another merchant, so needs his money for the
chain from Antipholus of Ephesus. Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus enter and
Antipholus sends Dromio to buy a rope’s end, so that he can beat his wife and
household for denying him entry to his house. Antipholus then charges Angelo
with having failed to deliver the chain as he had promised; Angelo protests that
he has given it to him and demands his money. When Antipholus refuses, Angelo
has him arrested for being in debt. Dromio of Syracuse turns up to report that a
ship is ready to sail. Confusion arises for Antipholus as he sent his Dromio to buy
a rope! He dispatches him to Adriana to fetch money to bail him out of prison.
Luciana tells Adriana that ‘her husband’ has declared his love for her. Adriana is
distressed. Dromio of Syracuse enters and asks for the money to bail Antipholus
of Ephesus, which he is given. Of course, Dromio meets Antipholus of Syracuse
and delivers the money to him instead. They meet the Courtesan, who asks
Antipholus for the chain she was promised or a ring that she gave ‘him’.
Antipholus calls her a witch and leaves. The Courtesan decides to go and see
Adriana in an attempt to recover her ring, if there is no prospect of her getting
the chain.
The unfortunate Dromio of Ephesus turns up with the rope he was sent for, only
to be beaten by Antipholus of Ephesus, who is expecting a purse of ducats for his
bail. Antipholus is confronted with Adriana, Luciana and the Courtesan, who have
brought Dr Pinch, as they now think he is mad. The various and compounding
confusions are related and the men of Ephesus are bound and carried off. All are
terrified when Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse enter with their rapiers drawn,
as they do not understand how they got loose. The others run away. The men of
Syracuse decide to leave as soon as they can.
Act V
Angelo sees Antipholus of Syracuse wearing the chain that is at dispute, and
accuses him of having denied its receipt. They are about to fight when the other
characters enter and the men of Syracuse run into the priory. The abbess Aemilia
enters and asks the other characters what they are doing there. Adriana says that
she has come to fetch her demented husband. The Abbess asks the cause of his
madness, deliberately leading Adriana on to say that she has nagged at her
husband. Aemilia announces her intention of curing Antipholus herself. Adriana
decides to appeal to the Duke, and is told that he will be passing by to see
Aegeon’s execution. She asks him to allow her to take her husband away.
Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus enter, to general consternation.
The various confusions are rehearsed again. Aegeon, thinking he recognises
Antipholus of Syracuse, appeals to Antipholus for help and acknowledgement,
which Antipholus refuses, saying that he does not know him. As the dramatic
tension reaches its peak, Aemilia enters with Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse
and identifies herself as Aegeon’s wife and mother of the Antipholus brothers,
saying that she became separated from Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus. At
last the errors are understood, and Antipholus of Syracuse assures Luciana that
he meant his protestations to her. Aemilia invites all to go into the abbey to
continue talking about the amazing events, and the company are followed into
the abbey by first the newly-reunited Antipholus twins, and finally the rejoicing
Dromios.