# Scene II explained — The Comedy of Errors > Chapter companion for The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. ## What happens Antipholus of Syracuse arrives in Ephesus with his servant Dromio of Syracuse and a merchant. After learning that a Syracusian merchant has been sentenced to death, he sends Dromio to the Centaur with money. While wandering the city, he encounters Dromio of Ephesus, who mistakes him for his master and scolds him for being late to dinner. Confused and angered, Antipholus of Syracuse beats Dromio of Ephesus, who flees. Antipholus of Syracuse worries that the town is full of trickery and goes to find his servant and money. ## Themes in this chapter ### Identity and Mistaken Identity Antipholus of Syracuse is mistaken for his twin by Dromio of Ephesus, leading to confusion and conflict. ### Commerce and Money The scene opens with a merchant returning money and discussing trade risks; Antipholus of Syracuse fears his money has been stolen. ### Order and Disorder The city's strict laws against Syracusians and the chaotic mistaken identity disrupt Antipholus of Syracuse's plans and sense of security. ## Character check-ins ### Antipholus of Syracuse Arrives in Ephesus, sends his Dromio to the Centaur with money, then wanders the city and is mistaken for his twin by Dromio of Ephesus. ### Dromio of Syracuse Sent by his master to the Centaur with money; exits early in the scene. ### Dromio of Ephesus Mistakes Antipholus of Syracuse for his master, scolds him for being late to dinner, and is beaten before fleeing. ### First Merchant Warns Antipholus of Syracuse about the danger for Syracusians, returns his money, and declines an invitation to dine. ## Key lines > I to the world am like a drop of water That in the ocean seeks another drop, Who, falling there to find his fellow forth, Unseen, inquisitive, confounds himself: So I, to find a mother and a brother, In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself. I am like a drop of water lost in the ocean, searching for another drop but only becoming more lost. Similarly, I search for my mother and brother and end up losing myself. _Antipholus of Syracuse expresses his deep sense of isolation and futility in his quest for his family._ > They say this town is full of cozenage, As, nimble jugglers that deceive the eye, Dark-working sorcerers that change the mind, Soul-killing witches that deform the body, Disguised cheaters, prating mountebanks, And many such-like liberties of sin People say this town is full of trickery—quick-handed magicians, mind-altering sorcerers, body-deforming witches, disguised con artists, and boastful quacks—all kinds of sinful freedoms. _Antipholus of Syracuse voices his suspicion that Ephesus is a place of deception and danger._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters