# Scene II explained — The Comedy of Errors

> Chapter companion for The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Antipholus of Syracuse encounters Dromio of Syracuse and beats him for denying he received gold and mentioning a mistress and dinner. Dromio of Syracuse denies any prior conversation. Adriana and Luciana enter, and Adriana confronts Antipholus of Syracuse, believing him to be her husband. Antipholus of Syracuse is bewildered but decides to go along with the mistaken identity. Dromio of Syracuse is ordered to guard the gate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Mistaken Identity

Antipholus of Syracuse is mistaken for his twin, leading to confusion and a crisis of self-perception.

### Marriage and Jealousy

Adriana's jealous accusations and pleas reveal the strain in her marriage, though she addresses the wrong man.

### Madness and Perception

Both Antipholus and Dromio question their sanity, wondering if they are dreaming or bewitched.

## Character check-ins

### Antipholus of Syracuse

Confused by the mistaken identity, he decides to play along with Adriana's claims.

### Dromio of Syracuse

Beaten by his master for a misunderstanding; he is bewildered by the events.

### Adriana

Mistakes Antipholus of Syracuse for her husband and pleads with him.

### Luciana

Accompanies Adriana and scolds Dromio of Syracuse for not responding.

## Key lines

> What error drives our eyes and ears amiss? Until I know this sure uncertainty, I’ll entertain the offer’d fallacy.

What mistake is confusing my senses? Until I understand this uncertain situation, I'll go along with the deception.

_Antipholus of Syracuse decides to accept the mistaken identity rather than resist it._

> Thou art an elm, my husband, I a vine, Whose weakness married to thy stronger state Makes me with thy strength to communicate.

You are like an elm tree, and I am a vine; my weakness is joined to your strength, allowing me to share in your power.

_Adriana uses a metaphor to describe the ideal marital union, appealing to the man she believes is her husband._

> I am possess’d with an adulterate blot; My blood is mingled with the crime of lust: For if we two be one and thou play false, I do digest the poison of thy flesh, Being strumpeted by thy contagion.

I am stained with adultery; my blood is mixed with the sin of lust. If we are one and you are unfaithful, I am poisoned by your body, corrupted by your infection.

_Adriana argues that her husband's infidelity would corrupt her as well, since they are one flesh._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters/act-ii-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