The Comedy of Errors Character Analysis

Aegeon

A merchant from Syracuse, who was separated from one of his twin sons, one of his twin servants, and his wife in a shipwreck. He has come to Ephesus searching for them, in violation of… read analysis of Aegeon

Antipholus of Ephesus

One of Aegeon’s twin sons, separated from him when just a baby. He has become a wealthy merchant in Ephesus, with a wife named Adriana (whom he may be cheating on). He is constantly confused… read analysis of Antipholus of Ephesus

Antipholus of Syracuse

The other one of Aegeon’s twins. He comes to Ephesus with his servant Dromio of Syracuse, in search of his long-lost mother and brother. He is greatly concerned with his money, but also with… read analysis of Antipholus of Syracuse

Dromio of Ephesus

One of the twin servants of Aegeon’s family, who ends up in Ephesus with Antipholus of Ephesus after the shipwreck. He is obedient but, due to all the confused identities during the play, is often… read analysis of Dromio of Ephesus

Dromio of Syracuse

The other twin servant, who accompanies Antipholus of Syracuse to Ephesus. Like his twin, Dromio does his best to obey his master, but ends up getting beaten and scolded as a result of the mistaken… read analysis of Dromio of Syracuse

Angelo

A goldsmith who makes a gold necklace for Antipholus of Ephesus. He mistakenly gives the necklace to Antipholus of Syracuse and then asks for payment from Antipholus of Ephesus. When this Antipholus denies having… read analysis of Angelo

Luciana

Adriana’s sister, who advises her to remain subservient to her husband. She scolds Antipholus of Syracuse (thinking him to be Antipholus of Ephesus) for denying being married to Adriana and tells him to at least… read analysis of Luciana

Aemilia

The long-lost wife of Aegeon and mother of the Antipholus twins. After being separated from Antipholus of Ephesus, she became an abbess. Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse seek sanctuary in her abbey, and she… read analysis of Aemilia

Minor Characters

Duke Solinus

The Duke of Ephesus, who plans in the beginning of the play to strictly uphold the law forbidding any Syracusans from being in Ephesus, by executing Aegeon. At the end of the play, though, moved by the exceptional circumstances of the day, he pardons Aegeon.

Balthazar

A merchant who Antipholus of Ephesus invites to dinner. They are both shut out of his house, though, and it is Balthazar who persuades Antipholus not to break the door down.

Merchant

A merchant who is owed money by Angelo. He has Antipholus of Ephesus arrested when he refuses to pay Angelo for the gold necklace. He later sees Antipholus of Syracuse with the necklace and almost duels him over the matter.

Pinch

A “conjurer” who Adriana gets to try to perform an exorcism on Antipholus. He ties up Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus and puts them in a dark room. He is an example of how the play’s characters foolishly resort to supernatural explanations for the confusing coincidences they encounter.

Adriana

The wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. Adriana suspects her husband of cheating on her and blames herself for his infidelity. She is upset when Antipholus of Syracuse (whom she thinks to be her husband) denies their marriage.

Luce

A servant in Adriana’s house who appears only briefly in one scene.

Courtesan

A woman with whom Antipholus of Ephesus may be having an affair. Antipholus has taken her diamond ring and promised her a gold necklace in return. She tries to track him down and finds Antipholus of Syracuse instead, who thinks she is a witch.