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Introduction to the play
Shakespeare’sThe Comedy of Errorsis the slapstick farce of his youth. In it, the lost twin sons of the old merchant Egeon—both named Antipholus—find themselves in Ephesus, without either one even knowing of the other’s existence. Meanwhile, Egeon has arrived in search of the son he thinks is still alive—and has been sentenced to death for the “crime” of being from Syracuse.
To add to the confusion, the two Antipholuses have twin servants, both named Dromio. As the four men unwittingly encounter each other, the play is crammed with wildly escalating misunderstandings before the truth emerges and Egeon is pardoned.
Shakespeare bases his story on Plautus’s Menaechmi, a play about identical twins who accidentally meet after a lifetime apart. He borrows from another Plautus play by having Adriana, the wife of one Antipholus, entertain the other. The spirited Adriana often gives speeches evoking strong emotions—as do other characters at times. Even here, Shakespeare suggests complexities beyond the farce.
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The Folger Shakespeare
Our bestselling editions of Shakespeare's plays and poems
… they
say every why hath a wherefore.
—Dromio Of Syracuse
Act 2, scene 2, line 45–46
There is something in the wind
—Antipholus Of Ephesus
Act 3, scene 1, line 107
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Essays and resources from The Folger Shakespeare
The Comedy of Errors
Learn more about the play, its language, and its history from the experts behind our edition.
About Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors
An introduction to the plot, themes, and characters in the play
Reading Shakespeare’s Language
A guide for understanding Shakespeare’s words, sentences, and wordplay
An Introduction to This Text
A description of the publishing history of the play and our editors’ approach to this edition
Shakespeare and his world
Learn more about Shakespeare, his theater, and his plays from the experts behind our editions.
Shakespeare’s Life
An essay about Shakespeare and the time in which he lived
Shakespeare’s Theater
An essay about what theaters were like during Shakespeare’s career
The Publication of Shakespeare’s Plays
An essay about how Shakespeare’s plays were published
Related blog posts and podcasts
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Shakespeare and Folktales
Shakespeare Unlimited
Shakespeare and Folktales
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Shakespeare Unlimited: Episode 138 You probably know where Shakespeare got the ideas for his plays. His Histories come from Holinshed’s Chronicles. Caesar and other Roman plays depend on Plutarch’s Lives. The Comedy of Errorsis based on Plautus’s Menaechmi. But what…
Excerpt -- 'Thanks a Lot Mr. Kibblewhite' by Roger Daltrey
Shakespeare and Beyond
Excerpt -- 'Thanks a Lot Mr. Kibblewhite' by Roger Daltrey
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Shakespeare & Beyond
In his recent memoir, “Thanks a Lot Mr. Kibblewhite,” Roger Daltrey of The Who writes, among other things, about playing the Dromio twins in the BBC’s TV movie of “The Comedy of Errors” (1983).
Teaching The Comedy of Errors
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The Key to Getting ALL Students Understanding and Interpreting Complex Texts
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The Key to Getting ALL Students Understanding and Interpreting Complex Texts
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The First Week of School: Literature Line Toss
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The First Week of School: Literature Line Toss
On the first day of school, make your students want to come back to class.
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2-Line Scenes - General Shakespeare
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2-Line Scenes - General Shakespeare
Introduce any Shakespeare play this way. Trust us--it works!
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The Monologue Project
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The Monologue Project
A much more exciting, authentic, and rigorous final assessment than an essay or test. Try the monologue project with virtually any text.
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Essential Everyday Bravery
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Essential Everyday Bravery
Use literature as a tool for anti-racism. Even if you don't teach Merchant, this curriculum will help your students think and act with courage.
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- The Merchant of Venice
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Early printed texts
The Comedy of Errors was first published in the 1623 First Folio and that text serves as the source for all subsequent editions of the play.
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