Synopsis
Two sets of twins are separated at birth by a storm at sea: a pair of masters (both named Antipholus) and a pair of servants (both named Dromio). Years later, the Antipholus-and- Dromio pair raised in Syracuse happen to visit Ephesus, where the respective twins reside — providing the basis for ongoing incidents of mistaken identity, within a lively plot of quarrels, arrests, and a grand courtroom denouement.
Based on a pair of comic dramas from ancient Rome, The Comedy of Errors presents a spectacle of pure farce in the spirit of utmost fun and — as the title suggests — hilarious confusion. One of Shakespeare’s earliest dramatic efforts, the play abounds in his trademark conceits, puns, and other forms of fanciful wordplay. It also foreshadows his later and greatest comedies, offering students and scholars a valuable key to the playwright’s development.
My Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
4.5 stars (5/10 hearts). This play is really hilarious—pure comedy. Maybe it’s unrealistic, but it makes for a good laugh even when you know it well. The characters are really fun too, especially the Dromios. I do recommend editing it a little, as there are some mentions of infidelity etc (which didn’t happen) and some language, also other content… typical Shakespeare. But overall its one of the cleaner plays and my family really enjoyed it.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS. Here’s too much “out upon thee”; I pray thee, let me in.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE. Ay, when fowls have no feathers and fish have no fin.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS. Well, I’ll break in; go, borrow me a crow.
DROMIO OF EPHESUS. A crow without feather; master, mean you so?
For a fish without a fin, there’s a fowl without a feather.
If a crow help us in, sirrah, we’ll pluck a crow together.
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS. Go, get thee gone; fetch me an iron crow.
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