The authoritative edition of The Comedy of Errors from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.
Shakespeareâs The Comedy of Errors is the slapstick farce of his youth. In it, the lost twin sons of the old merchant Egeonâboth named Antipholusâfind themselves in Ephesus, without either one even knowing of the otherâs existence. Meanwhile, Egeon has arrived in search of the son he thinks is still aliveâand has been sentenced to death for the âcrimeâ of being from Syracuse.
To add to the confusion, the two Antipholuses have twin servants, both named Dromio. As the four men unwittingly encounter each other, the play is crammed with wildly escalating misunderstandings before the truth emerges and Egeon is pardoned.
Shakespeare bases his story on Plautusâs Menaechmi, a play about identical twins who accidentally meet after a lifetime apart. He borrows from another Plautus play by having Adriana, the wife of one Antipholus, entertain the other. The spirited Adriana often gives speeches evoking strong emotionsâas do other characters at times. Even here, Shakespeare suggests complexities beyond the farce.
This edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the playâs famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeareâs language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Libraryâs vast holdings of rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Arthur F. Kinney
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the worldâs largest collection of Shakespeareâs printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.