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    The Comedy of Errors

    comedy

    The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare's earliest and shortest comedies, built around two sets of identical twins. A shipwreck once split their family apart, and years later Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio arrive in Ephesus, the very town where their long-lost twin brothers, who share the same names, now live. Nobody realises there are two of each. Friends, wives and merchants keep mistaking one twin for the other, and a single day spins into chaos before the family is reunited at last.

    ▸SCENE I. A hall in DUKE SOLINUS'S palace.▸SCENE II. The Mart.

    ▸SCENE I. The house of ANTIPHOLUS of Ephesus.▸SCENE II. A public place.

    ▸SCENE I. Before the house of ANTIPHOLUS of Ephesus.▸SCENE II. The same.

    ▸SCENE I. A public place.▸SCENE II. The house of ANTIPHOLUS of Ephesus.▸SCENE III. A public place.▸SCENE IV. A street.

    ▸SCENE I. A street before a Priory.

    Characters

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    Antipholus of SyracuseTwin, searching for his lost brotherAntipholus of EphesusTwin, resident of EphesusAdrianaWife of Antipholus of EphesusDromio of SyracuseTwin servant to Antipholus of Syracuse

    Famous Quotes

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    “I to the world am like a drop of water That in the ocean seeks another drop.”

    Antipholus of Syracuse — Act 1, Scene 2

    “The venom clamours of a jealous woman Poisons more deadly than a mad dog's tooth.”

    Abbess — Act 5, Scene 1

    “Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.”

    Balthazar — Act 3, Scene 1

    Further Reading

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

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