Previous
Act 4, Scene 1
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Comedy of Errors, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Commerce and Exchange
Marriage and Family
Appearances and Identity
Mistakes and Coincidences
Scapegoats and Social Hierarchy
Summary
Analysis
By the house of Antipholus of Ephesus, Adriana and Luciana are discussing Antipholus. Luciana says that he denied his marriage and tried to woo her instead. Adriana angrily calls her husband “deformed, crooked, old, and sere, / ill-fac’d, worse bodied, shapeless everywhere.” Dromio of Syracuse enters and announces that Antipholus has been arrested. He asks Adriana to get bail money from Antipholus’ desk.
Still confused about the identity of Antipholus of Syracuse, Adriana and Luciana think that Adriana’s marriage is in serious trouble. Dromio arrives in order to carry out the exchange of bail money and free Antipholus of Ephesus (who he still thinks is Antipholus of Syracuse).
Themes
Luciana goes to get the money and Adriana and Dromio share some witty banter. He tells her Antipholus was arrested over a chain, but Adriana doesn’t know what he is talking about. Luciana comes back and gives Dromio the money. Dromio leaves to go find Antipholus.
The exchange of the chain and money determines Antipholus’ freedom (or lack thereof). Adriana and Luciana continue to think that Dromio of Syracuse is Dromio of Ephesus. Dromio, meanwhile, still thinks that Antipholus of Ephesus is his master.
Themes
