Play description

ACT I

Scene 1. Condemned to death for entering the enemy territory of Ephesus, Egeon, a Syracusan

merchant, tells his life story to the Duke of Ephesus. Twenty years earlier his wife bore him identical

twin boys; another set of identical twins had been born to a poor woman the same day, and Egeon

bought these to raise as servants to his sons. Misfortune overtook them, however, when they were

shipwrecked and Egeon, with one of his sons and one of the slaves, was rescued by a vessel from

Epidaurus, whilst his wife, the other twin and slave were picked up by Corinthian fishermen. Egeon's

son has gone in search of his brother. Moved at his story, the Duke gives Egeon until the end of the

day to find ransom money.

Scene 2. Antipholus of Syracuse arrives at Ephesus. He sends his slave Dromio off to their inn, only to

encounter Dromio's long lost twin brother, who, unbeknownst to them, lives in Ephesus. Seeing the

man he believes to be his master, Dromio of Ephesus tells him that his wife is waiting to dine with

him at home. Antipholus of Syracuse is angered at what he perceives to be nonsense and strikes

Dromio, who flees.