Book Review: The Comedy of Errors

‘I to the world am like a drop of water That in the ocean seeks another drop’

So this play is one of Shakespeares lesser-known and performed plays. And its a shame, but I can kinda see why. Essentially you have two sets of identical twins brothers Antipholus of Ephesus, Antipholus of Syracuse, Dromio of Ephesus and Dromio and Syracuse. Each Dromio serves their respective masters. But here’s the snag, Antipholus and Dromio don’t know that they have an identical twin brother. And thus, hilarity ensues… or a massive headache. You decide.

so here’s the beginning the play opens with Egeon, a merchant of Syracuse landing in Ephesus. However he is caught and brought forth to the Duke of Ephesus who tells him that any man from Syracuse (because of some long standing feud that isn’t clearly explained and brushed over) will be put to death unless he can buy his own life. Bit harsh that. Yet Egeon decides to beg for mercy by telling the Duke about his search for his long lost sons, one of who he hasn’t seen in seven years and now believes both are dead. The duke pities him, but that’s about it, pay or die! (Dum dum duuuuummm). 

Now enter Antipholus of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus, here’s where it all starts to get messy. So Dromio E. Tells Antipholus S. That his wife expects him home for dinner, but Antipholus S is like ‘what wife? I have no wife?’ But instead asks for the 25 ducats that Antipholus S gave Dromio E. But this is Dromio S, and he has no idea what the heck is going on. And at some points even I got confused as to what the heck was going on. But then the wife of Antipholus E. Adriana turns up and chastises the very confused Antipholus S. She calls him unfaithful and a whole slew of other insults all because he didn’t come home for dinner. Antipholus S. reluctantly decided to follow this demanding lady home. In the text, she is a little scary. So naturally Antipholus S. Does what he’s told. In the mean time he tells his servant Dromio S. Who has magically re-apeared (also very confused) to not let anyone into the house that night. And guess who turns up Antipholus E and Dromio E. And they’re indignant at being locked out of their own home. The plot thickens, each Antipholus goes around wondering what in the heaven is going on-in case that wasn’t already clear. The poor Domino is slowly loosing it, Adriana is starting to think that maybe her husband has gone mad… but he’s not. She’s just mistaken him for his brother. (Surprise!) 

After a while the plot starts lagging slightly, there are only so many ‘mistaken identity’ scenarios you can deploy before you start running out of steam. And when it all wraps up nicely, and it does very well one can only think: thank god! No one is put to death, mother, father and sons are all reunited. I will say this, although the plot starts to lag in places, the ending isn’t rushed, its well thought through, unlike the rushed and people pleasing ending of Cymbeline. If you like a mistaken identity play, then this is for you. However you aren’t missing much I must say… sorry Shakespeare.