The Comedy of Errors is a story of twins and mistaken identity, caused when a shipwreck separates two familes.
The back story – and a threat of death
At the court of the Duke of Ephesus, a visiting merchant from Syracuse named Egeon finds himself facing execution under a recent decree condemning all his countrymen found in Ephesus to death. Pleading for his life, he explains he has come to Ephesus in search of his son, Antipholus.
Born, raised and married in Syracuse he travelled to Epidamnum, where his wife gave birth to identical twin boys, on the same day as a poor slave woman also had identical twin boys whom Egeon took as servants to his children.
On the way home, a storm blew up, wrecking the ship and the couple were separated, each rescuing one of their sons and one of the sons’ servants. The two halves of the family reached land separately and never saw one another again.
18 years later...
Egeon’s son, Antipholus, sets out to seek his brother, accompanied by his servant, Dromio. On arrival in Ephesus, Antipholus sends Dromio off to their lodgings with his money whilst he explores the town. Unknown to either man or master, their respective twins have been resident in Ephesus for the last 18 years. Confusingly, they are also called Antipholus and Dromio.
Confusion reigns
A number of situations of mistaken identity arise, culminating in the visiting Antipholus being coerced into dining with Adriana, his long-lost brother’s wife, at their house. Guarding the door, his servant, Dromio, refuses the rightful brother entry into his own home. In anger, Antipholus of Ephesus dines at a local inn, promising the hostess a gold chain originally commissioned for his wife.
Whilst dining with Adriana and her sister, the wrong Antipholus finds himself falling in love with the sister, who is outraged by his advances. The wrong Dromio is equally appalled to discover that the fat cook, Luce, is convinced that they are engaged. Both men decide to flee Ephesus on the next available ship and Dromio is sent to make the arrangements.
Confusion over the gold chain leads to Antipholus of Ephesus being arrested, whilst his twin brother and servant take refuge in a local priory. The priory’s Abbess refuses to give up to Adriana the man she believes to be her husband.
Spoiler – stop here if you don’t want to know how it ends
The Duke appears, accompanied by Egeon, and a herald proclaims that Egeon must die unless his fine is paid.
As Adriana complains to the Duke about the Abbess, a servant rushes in begging Adriana to save herself as her husband has escaped. She is amazed to see her husband, whom she believes to be in the priory, rushing down the street.
Egeon, believing he recognises his son and servant, begs Antipholus to save his life. Antipholus, of course, does not recognise the father he has never met and refuses.
The Abbess then appears, claiming the Duke’s protection for a wronged man, and all are amazed as Antipholus and Dromio emerge from the priory to be faced with their exact doubles.
Antipholus of Syracuse recognises his father and offers to pay his fine. It becomes obvious that they are indeed long-lost identical twins, and the family reunion is complete when the Abbess reveals herself to be Egeon’s wife, Emelia. The Duke pardons Egeon and they all depart for a celebratory feast.
