The Comedy of Errors: Act 4, Scene 1 Summary & Analysis

In Ephesus, a merchant tells Angelo that he owes him money, and that since he is leaving for Persia soon, he needs the money immediately, or else he will have an officer arrest Angelo. Angelo tells the merchant that he is expecting a payment from Antipholus for a necklace and that this will allow him to pay the merchant back.

Just then, Antipholus of Ephesus enters with Dromio of Ephesus. He tells Dromio to go get a rope so that he can give it to his wife for locking him out of his home. Dromio leaves. Angelo gives Antipholus a bill for the gold chain he ordered and asks for his payment immediately, as the merchant needs to go to sea. Antipholus says that he doesn’t have the money with him, and asks Angelo to go with the merchant to his home. There, he can deliver the chain and get the money from Adriana.

Angelo is confused, and asks if Antipholus has the chain. Antipholus says he does not, and Angelo insists that he gave him the necklace already. They argue, and the merchant begins to get frustrated, as he needs to leave soon. Angelo and Antipholus continue to argue back and forth, and the merchant and Angelo have an officer arrest Antipholus.

Dromio of Syracuse enters and tells Antipholus of Ephesus (who he thinks is his master) that there is a ship leaving soon. He has already put their baggage aboard and now just waits for Antipholus. Antipholus of Ephesus is confused and says he just sent Dromio to get some rope. Dromio says he was sent to find a boat leaving town.

Antipholus says he will deal with Dromio later, and tells him to go to Adriana and have her send bail money to get him out of hail. Dromio is hesitant to go back to Adriana’s house, where Nell is, but says that he must go, since “servants must their masters’ minds fulfill.”