Scene I explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Commerce and Money

  The scene revolves around debts, a gold chain, and financial obligations, highlighting the central role of commerce in the plot.

• Law and Justice

  The arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus and the legal proceedings underscore the theme of justice and its enforcement in Ephesus.

• Identity and Mistaken Identity

  Dromio of Syracuse is mistaken for his twin by Antipholus of Ephesus, continuing the play's central confusion.

Characters to notice

• Antipholus of Ephesus

  Arrested for debt after denying receipt of the gold chain from Angelo.

• Angelo

  Demands payment for the chain he claims to have given Antipholus of Ephesus, leading to the arrest.

• Dromio of Syracuse

  Mistakenly reports to Antipholus of Ephesus about a ship, then is sent to Adriana for bail money.

• Officer

  Arrests Antipholus of Ephesus at the merchant's suit.

• Second Merchant

  Pressures Angelo for payment and initiates the arrest of Antipholus of Ephesus.

Key passages

• “Therefore make present satisfaction, Or I’ll attach you by this officer.”

  Pay me now, or I'll have this officer arrest you.

  The merchant demands immediate payment from Angelo.

• “I do arrest you, sir: you hear the suit.”

  I am arresting you, as you have heard the charges.

  The officer formally arrests Antipholus of Ephesus.

• “Give her this key, and tell her, in the desk That’s cover’d o’er with Turkish tapestry There is a purse of ducats; let her send it: Tell her I am arrested in the street And that shall bail me.”

  Take this key to Adriana and tell her to send the purse of coins from the desk covered with Turkish tapestry, because I've been arrested and need bail.

  Antipholus of Ephesus instructs Dromio of Syracuse to fetch bail money from his wife.