The Comedy of Errors · Chapter
Scene I explained
Antipholus of Ephesus arrives home with Dromio of Ephesus, Angelo, and Balthazar for dinner, only to find himself locked out of his own house by his wife Adriana and the servants within, who mistake him for his twin brother.
What happens
Antipholus of Ephesus arrives home with Dromio of Ephesus, Angelo, and Balthazar for dinner, only to find himself locked out of his own house by his wife Adriana and the servants within, who mistake him for his twin brother. After a comedic exchange of insults and proverbs through the door, Balthazar advises patience to protect Antipholus's reputation. Antipholus agrees to dine elsewhere and instructs Angelo to bring a gold chain to the Porpentine, intending to spite his wife.
Themes in this chapter
Order and Disorder
The locked door and mistaken identity create domestic chaos, disrupting the natural order of the household and Antipholus's authority.
Marriage and Jealousy
Antipholus of Ephesus's plan to spite his wife by dining elsewhere and giving away a chain highlights marital discord and jealousy.
Identity and Mistaken Identity
The confusion at the door stems from the twins' identical appearance, as Dromio of Syracuse is mistaken for Dromio of Ephesus, and Antipholus of Syracuse is inside the house.
Characters to notice
- Antipholus of Ephesus
Locked out of his own house, he plans to dine at the Porpentine and spite his wife by giving away a gold chain.
- Dromio of Ephesus
Engages in a witty exchange with his twin brother through the door, insisting he was beaten at the mart.
- Dromio of Syracuse
Inside the house, he impersonates the porter and refuses entry to Antipholus of Ephesus.
- Adriana
From within, she denies Antipholus of Ephesus entry, calling him a 'knave' and refusing to acknowledge him as her husband.
- Angelo
Present at the door, he is instructed to fetch the gold chain and bring it to the Porpentine.
- Balthazar
Advises Antipholus of Ephesus to be patient and not break down the door to protect his reputation.
Key passages
“My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours”
My wife becomes irritable when I am not home on time.
Antipholus of Ephesus explains his wife's temper to Angelo, setting up the marital tension.
“Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast”
A modest meal with a warm welcome creates a joyful gathering.
Balthazar's proverb emphasizes hospitality over opulence.
“Herein you war against your reputation And draw within the compass of suspect The unviolated honour of your wife”
By breaking down the door, you damage your own reputation and cast suspicion on your wife's honor.
Balthazar warns Antipholus of Ephesus against rash action that could harm his social standing.
“Since mine own doors refuse to entertain me, I’ll knock elsewhere, to see if they’ll disdain me”
Since my own home won't let me in, I'll go somewhere else to see if they reject me too.
Antipholus of Ephesus decides to dine at the Porpentine out of spite.