Investigate Character Relationships

  • Antipholus of Syracuse

    Antipholus of Syracuse is a young man who is searching for his twin brother, also named Antipholus. The twins were separated in a shipwreck in which he also lost his mother. Antipholus grew up in the care of his father, Egeon, in the city of Syracuse and was called Antipholus in memory of his brother. At age 18, he became curious about his missing brother and left home to find his mother and twin, along with his servant Dromio. At the start of the play, he arrives in Ephesus feeling more lost than ever. When Antipholus of Syracuse becomes increasingly mistaken for his twin, he does not understand and gets more unsettled. He thinks Ephesus is a city of witchcraft but he does fall in love with Luciana.

    Facts we learn about Antipholus of Syracuse at the start of the play :

    • He is the son of Egeon, a merchant of Syracuse.
    • His mother and twin brother were lost in a shipwreck.
    • He is curious about his twin and left home at 18 to find him.
    • His servant, another twin called Dromio, left with him, and they have a close relationship.
    • He has been missing for five years.

    Things they say:

    'So I, to find a mother and a brother, / In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself.’ (1:2)

    Antipholus has spent so long searching for half his family, he has lost a sense of himself and feels hopeless and vulnerable.

    'If you will jest with me, know my aspect, / And fashion your demeanour to my looks, / Or I will beat this method in your sconce.’ (2:2)

    Antipholus needs Dromio to be sensitive to his moods and joke only when he can take it.

    ‘Thee will I love, and with thee lead my life; /Thou hast no husband yet nor I no wife’ (3:2)

    Antipholus is capable of giving his heart away very quickly.

    Things others say about them:

    'My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, / At eighteen years became inquisitive / After his brother’ (Egeon 1:1)

    Antipholus is well loved by Egeon but left home when he became curious about his twin.

    ‘I am glad to see you in this merry vein; / What means this jest? I pray you, master, tell me.’ (Dromio 2:2)

    It is unusual for Antipholus to be angry with Dromio.

    ‘With words that in an honest suit might move.’ (Luciana 4:2)

    Antipholus speaks the language of love very well.

  • Antipholus of Ephesus

    Antipholus of Ephesus is the twin brother of Antipholus of Syracuse. He and his mother were separated from his twin and father in the shipwreck. However, Antipholus was rescued and taken to Ephesus by the Duke’s uncle. He was then also taken from his mother by force and the only link to his past is his servant, Dromio. He fought bravely alongside the Duke in battle and saved his life. The Duke introduced him to a rich wife, Adriana, and Antipholus is now the head of a large household. He is well known and respected around Ephesus but he also has a violent temper and regularly beats Dromio. His relationship with his wife is strained because he spends a lot of time out of the house, including with the Courtesan, making her suspicious and jealous. When he is reunited with his father at the end of the play, Antipholus is quick to offer money to free Egeon and seems delighted to find his family again.

    Facts we learn about Antipholus of Ephesus at the start of the play:

    • He is the twin brother of Antipholus of Syracuse.
    • His father is Egeon, a merchant of Syracuse.
    • He was shipwrecked with his mother and his Dromio and separated from his twin.
    • He hasn’t seen either of his parents or his brother since he was a young child.

    Things they say:

    ‘This woman that I mean, / My wife — but I protest, without desert — / Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal.’ (2:2)

    Antipholus does visit the courtesan but says he has stayed faithful to his wife. His wife does not believe him.

    ‘go thou / And buy a rope’s end. That will I bestow / Among my wife and her confederates, / For locking me out of my doors by day.’ (4:1)

    Antipholus also beats Adriana and others in the household.

    ‘O, grant me justice, / Even for the service that long since I did thee / When I bestrid thee in the wars, and took / Deep scars to save thy life’ (5:1)

    Antipholus has proven himself in battle and suffered injuries protecting the life of the Duke.

    Things others say about them:

    'His company must do his minions grace, / Whilst I at home starve for a merry look.’ (Adriana 2:1)

    Antipholus neglects his wife and she suspects he sees other women.

    ‘I have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.’ (Dromio 4:4)

    Antipholus has been violent to Dromio since he was a child.

    ‘Of very reverend reputation, sir, / Of credit infinite, highly beloved, / Second to none that lives here in the city; / His word might bear my wealth at any time.’ (Angelo 5:1)

    Antipholus has an excellent reputation in Ephesus and is loved and well trusted, although Angelo may just be saying this to reassure someone he owes money to.

  • Dromio of Syracuse

    Dromio of Syracuse is the twin brother of Dromio of Ephesus and born on the same day as the Antipholus twins to a poor woman. He and his twin were bought by Egeon as future servants for his sons but were separated by the shipwreck. He grew up in Syracuse with Egeon and Antipholus, who became his master. He seems close to his master after their years of travelling together and cheers him up with jokes and shared wordplay. He is, however, still subject to beatings if he goes too far. He seems very happy to meet his twin at the end of the play.

    Facts we learn about Dromio of Syracuse at the start of the play:

    • He was born in Syracuse to a poor woman on the same day as the Antipholus twins.
    • Egeon bought him and his twin brother, also called Dromio, as servants.
    • After the shipwreck, he was brought up by Egeon as Antipholus’ servant.
    • He has left Syracuse to help his master search for his lost family.

    Things they say:

    ‘Many a man would take you at your word, And go indeed, having so good a mean.’ (1:2)

    Dromio is poor but honest. A less honest man would run off with so much of his master’s money.

    ‘O, for my beads, I cross me for a sinner. / This is the fairy land; O spite of spites, / We talk with goblins, owls and sprites!’ (2:2)

    Dromio is so confused by how Adriana and Luciana talk to him that he thinks he must be enchanted.

    ‘We’ll draw cuts for the senior; till then, lead thou first.’ (5:1)

    Dromio is pleased to meet his brother and prepared to put him first.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘A trusty villain, sir, that very oft, / When I am dull with care and melancholy, /Lightens my humour with his merry jests.’ (Antipholus of Syracuse 1:2)

    Dromio is witty and can make jokes to lift his master’s mood.

    'Because that I familiarly sometimes / Do use you for my fool and chat with you, / Your sauciness will jest upon my love, / And make a common of my serious hours.’ (Antipholus of Syracuse 2:2)

    Dromio has a more friendly relationship with his master than other servants.

    ‘Methinks you are my glass, and not my brother: I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth.’ (Dromio of Ephesus 5:1)

    The two Dromios look completely identical so even they can’t tell each other apart.

  • Dromio of Ephesus

    Dromio of Ephesus is the twin brother of Dromio of Syracuse. He and his brother were born on the same day as the Antipholus twins to a poor woman. Both Dromios were bought by Egeon as future servants for his sons but were separated by the shipwreck that tore apart Egeon’s family. Dromio went with Antipholus to Ephesus and has worked for him all his life. He is married to Antipholus’ kitchen maid, Nell. His life is one of servitude, trying to please his difficult master and getting regular beatings. He is witty and quick-thinking but never treated as an equal by the man he serves. He is delighted to meet his twin and they share the last lines of the play.

    Facts we learn about Dromio of Ephesus at the start of the play:

    • He was born in Syracuse to a poor woman on the same day as the Antipholus twins.
    • Egeon bought him and his twin brother to be servants for his sons.
    • He was lost to Egeon in the shipwreck.

    Things they say:

    'I should kick, being kicked, and being at that pass, / You would keep from my heels and beware of an ass.’ (3:1)

    Dromio knows that how he is treated is unfair and thinks his master is lucky he can’t fight back.

    ‘O, villain, thou hast stol’n both mine office and my name; The one ne’er got me credit, the other mickle blame’ (3:1)

    He feels like his name and position have never done him any good.

    ‘Nay then, thus: / We came into the world like brother and brother; / And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.’ (5:1)

    Dromio sees his brother as an equal.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass.’ (Antipholus 4:4)

    He is not respected by his master who thinks violence is the only way to get through to him.

    'Hence, prating peasant! Fetch thy master home.’ (Adriana 2:1)

    He has very little status in the household he works in.

    ‘Not I, sir; you are my elder.’ (Dromio of Syracuse 5:1)

    He is respected by his brother and allowed to take the lead.

  • Adriana

    Adriana is a rich woman, married to Antipholus of Ephesus. At the start of the play, she suspects her husband sees other women and is sad that their marriage is no longer as happy as it once was. We never see her without her sister, Luciana, to whom she seems very close. Luciana suggests Adriana is at fault in how she behaves towards her husband but as Luciana isn’t married, Adriana doesn’t think she understands. Adriana has a quick temper and is ready to beat her servants if they annoy her. As the play progresses, we see Adriana becoming increasingly concerned about her husband’s behaviour and she tries to protect him from what she sees as his ‘madness’. She goes out of her way to get him out of trouble, even when he’s accusing her of causing it.

    Facts we learn about Adriana at the start of the play:

    • She has a husband called Antipholus who is frequently late home for dinner.
    • She has an unmarried sister called Luciana.
    • She feels unhappy and neglected in her marriage and suspects her husband is cheating on her.
    • She feels bitter that husbands have more freedom than wives.

    Things they say:

    ‘My decayèd fair, / A sunny look of his would soon repair. / But, too unruly deer, he breaks the pale / And feeds from home; poor I am but his stale.’ (2:1)

    Adriana feels that if her husband paid her any attention, she would look and feel better but he is too distracted by other women.

    'How dearly would it touch thee to the quick, / Shouldst thou but hear I were licentious?/ And that this body, consecrate to thee, / By ruffian lust should be contaminate?’ (2:2)

    Adriana is aware of the inequality between men and women. She is not afraid to remind her husband how he would feel if things were reversed and she was unfaithful to him.

    ‘She did betray me to my own reproof.’ (5:1)

    Adriana is ready to admit her mistakes.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘Self-harming jealousy! Fie, beat it hence.’ (Luciana 2:1)

    Adriana is a jealous wife, and her sister believes it hurts her.

    ‘This woman that I mean, / My wife — but I protest, without desert — / Hath oftentimes upbraided me withal.’ (Antipholus of Ephesus 2:1)

    Adriana is suspicious of her husband, although he claims not to have cheated on her.

    ‘Th’unviolated honour of your wife. / Once, this: your long experience of her wisdom, / Her sober virtue, years and modesty’ (Balthazar 3:1)

    Adriana has a spotless reputation in Ephesus. She is known to be wise and modest.

  • Luciana

    Luciana is the unmarried sister of Adriana. When we first meet her, she is advising her sister on how to keep a husband but has no experience of marriage yet herself. While Adriana seeks more equality, Luciana thinks women should be obedient to their husbands, but she is willing to speak her mind. When Antipholus of Syracuse woos her, she stays loyal to her sister but is still struck by his words. Luciana is a constant and loyal companion to Adriana and it is her idea to call on the Duke for help with Antipholus. However, she is silent at the end of the play when Antipholus tells her he will continue his wooing and we are left to imagine her feelings.

    Facts we learn about Luciana at the start of the play:

    • She is the unmarried sister of Adriana.
    • She believes that husbands are masters of their wives.
    • She thinks Adriana is driving Antipholus away with her jealous behaviour.
    • She loves and cares deeply about her sister.

    Things they say:

    ‘Not this, but troubles of the marriage bed.’ (2:1)

    Luciana has witnessed troubles in marriage and isn’t yet ready to deal with that herself.

    'Alas, poor women! Make us but believe, / Being compact of credit, that you love us;/ Though others have the arm, show us the sleeve: / We in your motion turn, and you may move us.’ (3:2)

    Luciana believes men should reward women’s trust with love and protection.

    ‘Ne’er may I look on day, nor sleep on night / But she tells to your highness simple truth.’ (5:1)

    Luciana is loyal to her sister and willing to speak up in her defence.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘This servitude makes you to keep unwed.’ (Adriana 2:1)

    Luciana has a meek attitude towards men.

    ‘But if thou live to see like right bereft, / This fool-begged patience in thee will be left.’ (Adriana 2:1)

    Luciana has no experience of marriage and what it takes to maintain a relationship.

    ‘Less in your knowledge and your grace you show not / Than our earth’s wonder, more than earth divine. / Teach me, dear creature, how to think and speak.’ (Antipholus of Syracuse 3:2)

    Luciana speaks wisely and elegantly and Antipholus of Syracuse is very impressed by her.

  • Egeon

    Egeon is an elderly merchant from Syracuse. The play opens with him being sentenced to death for travelling to Ephesus, which is forbidden for a Syracusan. He explains to the Duke that he has lost his wife Emilia and one of his twin sons in a tragic shipwreck. When his surviving son left home to search for his lost brother, Egeon worried and followed after him. By the time he reaches Ephesus, Egeon has spent many years searching for his missing family. At the start of the play, he is heartbroken and ready for death. His emotional tale earns the Duke’s pity and he is given a day to find the ransom that would save his life. In Act 5 his time has run out and he is about to be executed but the appearance of both his sons finally resolves all the confusion and his life is saved. The added surprise of finding his wife, Emilia, seems like a dream to the old man and the play ends with him surrounded by his family at last.

    Facts we learn about Egeon at the start of the play:

    • He is a merchant from Syracuse who had twin sons, now both called Antipholus.
    • He bought another set of twins, now both called Dromio, from a poor woman.
    • He lost his wife and one of each set of twins in a shipwreck.
    • He has risked his life by coming to Ephesus to search for his family.

    Things they say:

    ‘wed / Unto a woman, happy but for me, / And by me, had not our hap been bad.’ (1:1)

    Egeon and his wife loved each other and would have lived happy lives if they had not been struck by misfortune.

    'Did but convey unto our fearful minds /A doubtful warrant of immediate death, / Which though myself would gladly have embraced’ (1:1)

    Egeon seems resigned to bad fortune and accepts it for himself but not his family.

    ‘But perhaps, my son, / Thou sham’st to acknowledge me in misery.’ (5:1)

    Egeon recognises how low he’s fallen and understands if his son is ashamed to show he knows him.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘Hapless Egeon, whom the fates have marked / To bear the extremity of dire mishap’ (The Duke 1:1)

    Egeon’s tale is so sad and unlucky, it’s as if he was destined to have this tragic life.

    'Yet once again proclaim it publicly, / If any friend will pay the sum for him, / He shall not die, so much we tender him.’ (The Duke 5:1)

    Egeon is pitied by the Duke, who wants to save his life.

    ‘O, if thou be’st the same Egeon, speak, / And speak unto the same Emilia.’ (Emilia 5:1)

    Egeon is recognised by his wife when they meet at the end of the play.

  • Emilia

    Emilia is the long-lost wife of Egeon and mother of the Antipholus twins. At the start of the play, we hear how she was separated from her husband and one of her twins in a shipwreck. We do not meet her in person until Act 5 when she is revealed to be the abbess of the priory in Ephesus where Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse take shelter. She stands up to Adriana and Luciana over her duty of care for anyone taking sanctuary in her priory. She helps to free Egeon and invites the principal characters to a feast to swap their stories.

    Facts we learn about Emilia at the start of the play:

    • She is married to Egeon and the mother of his twin boys.
    • She has been lost in a shipwreck together with one of her twin sons and one of the Dromio twins.
    • Egeon has not seen her since the shipwreck.

    Things they say:

    ‘He took this place for sanctuary, / And it shall privilege him from your hands / Till I have brought him to his wits again, / Or lose my labour in assaying it.’ (5:1)

    Emilia is stubborn, refusing to give up Antipholus.

    ‘I will not let him stir / Till I have used the approved means I have, / With wholesome syrups, drugs and holy prayers, / To make of him a formal man again. / It is a branch and parcel of mine oath, / A charitable duty of my order’ (5:1)

    Emilia is skilled in healing and prayer. She is confident in these skills and sees it as her duty to help others in this way.

    ‘Thirty-three years have I but gone in travail / Of you, my sons, and till this present hour/ My heavy burden ne’er deliverèd.’ (5:1)

    Emilia has suffered 33 years without her children which has felt like another long and painful childbirth.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘and wed / Unto a woman, happy but for me, / And by me, had not our hap been bad./ With her I lived in joy.’ (Egeon 1:1)

    Emilia was happily married to Egeon despite his bad fortunes.

    ‘Yet the incessant weepings of my wife, / Weeping before for what she saw must come, / And piteous plainings of the pretty babes, /That mourned for fashion, ignorant what to fear, / Forced me to seek delays for them and me.’ (Egeon 1:1)

    Emilia’s behaviour on the ship made everyone worry more, perhaps more than they should.

    ‘And ill it doth beseem your holiness / To separate the husband and the wife.’ (Adriana 5:1)

    Emilia is keeping Adriana away from her husband, which goes against holy marriage vows.

  • Duke Solinus

    Duke Solinus is the ruler of Ephesus. He explains why Egeon is being sentenced and forces the man to tell his story. He is moved by Egeon’s story and gives him a day to find his ransom money to avoid execution. It isn’t until Act 5 that we learn how involved the Duke has been with Antipholus of Ephesus’ life. The Duke’s uncle brought Antipholus to Ephesus as a child and Antipholus fought alongside the Duke in battle and even saved his life. When Adriana appeals to him to help her husband, we hear the Duke was also responsible for arranging their marriage. He became Antipholus’ patron with an agreement to support and protect him. The Duke seems well respected in Ephesus and his authority helps to resolve all the confusion in Act 5. He readily pardons Egeon when the whole story is revealed.

    Facts we learn about Duke Solinus at the start of the play:

    • He is the ruler of Ephesus.
    • He enforces the rules of Ephesus.
    • He is merciful but cannot change the law.

    Things they say:

    ‘Who, wanting guilders to redeem their lives, / Have sealed his rigorous statutes with their bloods, / Excludes all pity from our threat’ning looks;’ (1:1)

    The Duke has no pity for the Syracusans who have treated his people badly.

    ‘Now, trust me, were it not against our laws, / Against my crown, my oath, my dignity, / Which princes, would they may not disannul, / My soul should sue as advocate for thee.’ (1:1)

    Although the Duke would like to help Egeon, he is not willing to change or ignore the law to do so.

    ‘With all my heart I’ll gossip at this feast.’ (5:1)

    The Duke enjoys a good story with good company.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘I’m sure the Duke himself in person / Comes this way to the melancholy vale, / The place of death and sorry execution,’ (Second Merchant 5:1)

    The Duke is a respected figure of authority who oversees unpleasant executions himself.

    'Antipholus, my husband, / Whom I made lord of me and all I had, / At your important letters’ (Adriana 5:1)

    The Duke arranged the marriage of Adriana and Antipholus.

    ‘Even for the service that long since I did thee, / When I bestrid thee in the wars, and took / Deep scars to save thy life; even for the blood / That then I lost for thee’ (Antipholus of Ephesus 5:1)

    The Duke nearly lost his life in the wars and owes Antipholus a debt for saving him.

  • The Courtesan

    The Courtesan is a sex worker who lives at the Porcupine. Antipholus of Ephesus knows her well, although he denies being unfaithful with her. Antipholus plans to give her a gold necklace he had ordered for Adriana as a gift. The Courtesan gives Antipholus an expensive ring in exchange for the chain she’s been promised. When she meets Antipholus of Syracuse, mistaking him for Antipholus of Ephesus, she demands the chain or her ring back. Her appearance and accusations fuel Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse’s fears that Ephesus is full of witchcraft and she is a devil. As Antipholus’ behaviour is so out of character, she assumes he is mad. The Courtesan is a direct woman who is not afraid to visit Adriana with news of her mad husband, both to help him and to get the ring back, which she cannot afford to lose.

    Facts we learn about the Courtesan at the start of the play:

    • She lives at the Porcupine.
    • Adriana thinks her husband is having an affair with her.
    • Antipholus visits her often, although he denies cheating on his wife.

    Things they say:

    ‘Now, out of doubt Antipholus is mad, / Else would he never so demean himself.’ (4:3)

    The Courtesan knows Antipholus well enough to see he is behaving strangely.

    ‘My way is now to hie home to his house / And tell his wife that, being lunatic, / He rushed into my house and took perforce / My ring away. This course I fittest choose, / For forty ducats is too much to lose.’ (4:3)

    The Courtesan cannot afford to lose this much money and is prepared to visit (and lie to) Antipholus’ wife to get it back.

    ‘As sure, my liege, as I do see your grace.’ (5:1)

    The Courtesan is respected enough by the Duke to be asked her opinion.

    Things others say about them:

    ‘I know a wench of excellent discourse, / Pretty and witty, wild, and yet, too, gentle.’ (Antipholus of Ephesus 3:1)

    The Courtesan is attractive, intelligent and kind.

    ‘Nay, she is worse, she is the devil’s dam: and here she comes in the habit of a light wench, and thereof comes that the wenches say ‘God damn me’ — that’s as much to say, ‘God make me a light wench’. (Dromio of Syracuse 4:3)

    The Courtesan is dressed like a prostitute and it is obvious what work she does.

    ‘There, take it, and much thanks for my good cheer.’ (Antipholus of Ephesus 5:1)

    The Courtesan is respected enough by Antipholus for him to return her ring in public.

Explore their relationships

Antipholus of Syracuse

  • Antipholus of Syracuse - Egeon

    Their relationship seems to be quite strong at the beginning of the play. Egeon loves his son but has not seen him in five years. Antipholus left Syracuse to go in search of his mother and brother and Egeon left Syracuse to search for Antipholus.

    Egeon says: ‘My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care’ (1:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘So I, to find a mother and a brother, / In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself.’ (1:2)

    We see the strain on their relationship by the five year separation in Act 5. Egeon thinks his son is pretending not to recognise him out of shame. When Antipholus of Syracuse finally sees his father, he almost doesn’t believe it.

    Egeon says: ‘But perhaps, my son, / Thou sham’st to acknowledge me in misery. ’ (5:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘Egeon art thou not? Or else his ghost.’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Syracuse - Emilia

    Their relationship seems strong in Act 1 Scene 1. We only hear it through Egeon’s story but it is a bond of mother and child.

    Egeon says: ‘she became / A joyful mother of two goodly sons’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems stronger in Act 5 when they are united at last. Emilia says she has not seen her sons in 33 years.

    She says: ‘After so long grief, such nativity. ’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Syracuse and Antipholus of Ephesus

    Their relationship seems strong but one-sided at the beginning of the play. We only hear from Egeon that Antipholus of Syracuse has left home to search for his twin brother.

    Egeon says: ‘My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, / At eighteen years became inquisitive / After his brother’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems stronger in Act 1 Scene 2. Again, it is one-sided as we only hear from Antipholus of Syracuse but he does not feel complete without his twin and has lost a sense of his identity in the search for him.

    He says: ‘I to the world am like a drop of water / That in the ocean seeks another drop’ (1:2)

    Their relationship is strengthened in Act 5 when the twins are united with each other and their bond becomes a reality. However, they do not speak directly to each other in this scene so we are left to imagine their feelings.

    Antipholus of Syracuse says: ‘I was ta’en for him, and he for me, And thereupon these errors are arose.’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Syracuse - Luciana

    Their relationship seems weak when they first meet in Act 2 scene 2. Luciana believes he is her brother-in-law and scolds him for being unkind to her sister, Adriana. Antipholus of Syracuse is too confused to react to her at this point.

    She says: ‘Fie, brother! How the world is changed with you: / When were you wont to use my sister thus?’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems stronger in Act 3 scene 2 but seems more complicated. Luciana still believes he is her brother-in-law and pleads with him to treat her sister well. Antipholus now has time to see Luciana properly and seems to fall in love with her. He is so struck by her that he declares his feelings very quickly. Luciana is horrified by what she sees as his disloyalty to her sister but admits to Adriana in Act 4 Scene 2 that she would have been impressed by his words if he weren’t her brother-in-law.

    He says: ‘Are you a god? Would you create me new? / Transform me, then, and to your power I’ll yield.’ (3:1)
    She says: ‘With words that in an honest suit might move.’ (4:2)

    Their relationship weakens later in Act 3 Scene 1, when Antipholus decides Ephesus is enchanted and he must put Luciana out of his head. Luciana still thinks he’s her brother-in-law and therefore behaving very oddly.

    He says: ‘But lest myself be guilty to self-wrong, / I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.’ (3:1)
    She says: ‘Who would be jealous then of such a one? / No evil lost is wailed when it is gone.’ (4:2)

    Their relationship seems a little stronger at the end of Act 5 when the truth is revealed and they are free to be together. One of Antipholus’ first thoughts is to tell Luciana he intends to pursue her. Luciana does not reply so we have to guess what she is thinking and if they have a future together.

    He says: ‘What I told you then / I hope I shall have leisure to make good, / If this be not a dream I see and hear.’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Syracuse - Dromio of Syracuse

    Their relationship seems strong at the start of the play. Master and Servant know each other well. Dromio is honest and Antipholus can trust him with his money. Dromio is sensitive to his master’s moods and cheers him up when he’s down. This is important as they have come a long way from home.

    Dromio says: ‘Many a man would take you at your word, / And go indeed, having so good a mean.’ (2:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘A trusty villain, sir, that very oft, / When I am dull with care and melancholy, / Lightens my humour with his merry jests.’ (1:2)

    The relationship has suffered a bit by Act 2 scene 2 as Antipholus has been confused by the wrong Dromio. Antipholus thinks Dromio is making insensitive jokes. He says he’s treated Dromio more like a friend than a servant and, as a result, he’s forgotten his place. Dromio stays good natured and obedient and tries to joke with his master, even when he’s being beaten for no reason.

    Antipholus says: ‘Because that I familiarly sometimes /Do use you for my fool and chat with you, /Your sauciness will jest upon my love, /And make a common of my serious hours.’ (2:2)
    Dromio says: ‘Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season, When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason? Well, sir, I thank you.’ (2:2)

    The relationship is reinforced by the end of Act 2 scene 2 as both men are confused and wary, so they are united in their experience. Later, in Act 3 scene 2, they are brought even closer by being confronted by women and told they have wives. The word play between Antipholus and Dromio in Act 3 scene 4 shows how close they are and how they enjoy and are used to joking together.

    Dromio says: ‘I am transformèd, master, am I not?’ (2:2)
    Antipholus says: ‘I think thou art in mind, and so am I.’ (2:2)

    The relationship between master and servant seems to get stronger in Act 4 scene 3 when they meet the Courtesan and assume she’s a witch. The two decide to escape Ephesus immediately. Later they join forces and draw swords to run from the Ephesians, finding shelter together in the abbey.

    Dromio says: ‘Master, be wise: an if you give it her, the devil will shake her chain and fright us with it.’ (4:3)
    Antipholus says: ‘Come to the Centaur; fetch our stuff from thence. / I long that we were safe and sound aboard.’ (4:1)

    Their relationship seems to be as strong as ever at the end of the play. Dromio assumes his master wishes to stay and is the first to suggest getting his stuff off the ship. Antipholus shows great warmth towards his servant by inviting him to embrace his twin brother first and join them inside.

    Dromio says: ‘Master, shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard?’ (5:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘I am your master, Dromio. /Come, go with us; we’ll look to that anon. /Embrace thy brother there; rejoice with him.’ (5:1)

Antipholus of Ephesus

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - Egeon

    Their relationship seems to be weak at the start of the play as it exists only in memory. However, Egeon has risked his life searching for both his sons and is not happy without either.

    Egeon says: ‘Whom whilst I laboured of a love to see, / I hazarded the loss of whom I loved.’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems to still be weak at the start of Act 5. Antipholus hasn’t seen his father since he was a baby and so doesn’t recognise him. This hurts Egeon deeply as he thinks this is the son he brought up in Syracuse.

    Antipholus says: ‘I never saw you in my life till now.’ (5:1)
    Egeon says: ‘O, grief hath changed me since you saw me last’ (5:1)

    Their relationship seems to be strong at the end of the play. When Antipholus of Ephesus realises who Egeon is, he immediately offers to pay the fine to save his life.

    Antipholus says: ‘These ducats pawn I for my father here.’ (5:1)
    Egeon says: ‘tell me where is that son / That floated with thee on the fatal raft?’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - Emilia

    From what Egeon tells us in Act 1 Scene 1, their relationship was very strong. On the ship, Emilia was most worried about the safety of the younger twin (Antipholus of Ephesus) and made sure he was tied to the mast next to her.

    He says: ‘My wife, more careful for the latter-born, / Had fastened him unto a small spare mast’ (1:1)

    Their relationship is renewed in Act 5 when they are reunited at last. Emilia explains that she was parted from her son ‘By force’ soon after the shipwreck and has not seen him since.

    She says: ‘till this present hour / My heavy burden ne’er deliverèd.’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - Antipholus of Syracuse

    Their relationship seems strong but one-sided at the beginning of the play. We only hear from Egeon that Antipholus of Syracuse has left home to search for his twin brother.

    Egeon says: ‘My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care, / At eighteen years became inquisitive / After his brother’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems stronger in Act 1 Scene 2. Again, it is one-sided as we only hear from Antipholus of Syracuse but he does not feel complete without his twin and has lost a sense of his identity in the search for him.

    He says: ‘I to the world am like a drop of water / That in the ocean seeks another drop’ (1:2)

    Their relationship is strengthened in Act 5 when the twins are united with each other and their bond becomes a reality. However, they do not speak directly to each other in this scene so we are left to imagine their feelings.

    Antipholus of Syracuse says: ‘I was ta’en for him, and he for me, And thereupon these errors are arose.’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - Adriana

    Their relationship seems very weak at the start of the play. Adriana feels neglected by her husband who stays out late. She suspects he is having an affair and his behaviour has made her jealous and insecure. She blames him for her loss of looks and spirit.

    She says: ‘What ruins are in me that can be found, / By him not ruined? Then is he the ground / Of my defeatures. ’ (2:1)
    He says: ‘My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours.’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems a bit stronger in Act 2 Scene 2, when we see Adriana confront Antipholus of Syracuse, thinking he’s her husband. She scolds him but seems to still love him and reminds him of a time when their love was strong. She lowers her dignity to beg him back. In Act 3 Scene 1, we hear that Antipholus has ordered a gold chain to be made as a gift for Adriana but this could be out of guilt as he knows she is suspicious.

    She says: ‘never touch well welcome to thy hand, / That never meat sweet-savoured in thy taste, / Unless I spake, or looked, or touched, or carved to thee.’ (2:2)
    He says: ‘Say that I lingered with you at your shop / To see the making of her carcanet’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems weaker in Act 3 Scene 1 when Antipholus is locked out of his house. He blames his wife and immediately decides to punish her by giving the chain he is buying for her to a prostitute.

    He says: ‘That chain will I bestow — / Be it for nothing but to spite my wife — /Upon mine hostess there. ’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems to be not much stronger in Act 4 Scene 1 when Antipholus orders Dromio to fetch a rope to beat Adriana with. He is angry and blaming Adriana is the way he can make sense of all the confusion but his reaction is a violent one towards her. In contrast, Adriana shows a lot of love and forgiveness towards Antipholus, even after she hears he’s been flirting with her sister and has visited the Courtesan. Her reaction is to decide he’s mad, get him exorcised and pay his bills so he can come home. This unbalanced relationship lasts well into Act 5 with Adriana begging Emilia to let her in the abbey to help her husband and Antipholus telling the Duke that Adriana is behind all his suffering.

    He says: ‘go thou / And buy a rope’s end. That will I bestow /Among my wife and her confederates, /For locking me out of my doors by day.’ (4:1)
    She says: ‘I will attend my husband, be his nurse, / Diet his sickness, for it is my office.’ (5:1)

    Their relationship seems to be not much stronger at the end of the play. Adriana begs the Duke to help her husband and seems to accept her duty is to accept a husband as her master. Antipholus seems less angry in front of the Duke but believes his wife has spoilt his reputation. We don’t see them come together at the end of Act 5 and we can only guess if they can recover and have a happier marriage in the future.

    He says: ‘Beyond imagination is the wrong / That she this day hath shameless thrown on me.’ (5:1)
    She says: ‘Antipholus, my husband, / Whom I made lord of me and all I had’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - The Courtesan

    Their relationship seems fairly strong and established at the start of the play. Antipholus seems to visit the Courtesan often and enjoy her company. His wife suspects her husband is seeing another woman although he claims he has not been unfaithful.

    He says: ‘I know a wench of excellent discourse, / Pretty and witty, wild, and yet, too, gentle.’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems weaker in Act 4 Scene 3 when the Courtesan suspects him of cheating her. Antipholus has promised her a gold chain and she has given him a diamond ring in return. When she meets Antipholus of Syracuse, she assumes he is Antipholus of Ephesus and asks him for the chain. He calls her a devil and a witch. She thinks he has gone mad and as she can’t afford to lose the ring with no return she decides to talk to Adriana.

    She says: ‘Now, out of doubt Antipholus is mad, / Else would he never so demean himself.’ (4:3)

    Their relationship seems weaker in Act 4 Scene 4 when Antipholus of Ephesus, now under arrest for not paying the goldsmith for the chain, meets the Courtesan, who is with Adriana and Luciana. The women all seem to think he is mad and want to take him somewhere safe. Antipholus thinks everyone is conspiring against him.

    She says: ‘How say you now? Is not your husband mad?’ (4:4)

    At the end of the play the Courtesan witnesses how the confusion is resolved and asks Antipholus of Ephesus for her ring back. He gives it to her. Now his wife knows everything it is uncertain if they will meet again.

    He says: ‘There take it and much thanks for my good cheer’ (5.1)

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - Duke Solinus

    Their relationship is a strong one, although we don’t learn this until the end of the play. Antipholus has been brought to Ephesus by the Duke’s uncle as a child. He has fought beside the Duke in the wars and saved his life. In return, the Duke has become his patron, giving him protection and a rich wife. In return, Antipholus has great respect for the Duke.

    The Duke says: ‘Long since, thy husband served me in my wars, / And I to thee engaged a prince’s word, / When thou didst make him master of thy bed, / To do him all the grace and good I could.’ (5:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘O, grant me justice, Even for the service that long since I did thee, /When I bestrid thee in the wars, and took / Deep scars to save thy life’ (5:1)

  • Antipholus of Ephesus - Dromio of Ephesus

    Their relationship is a fairly strong one of servant and master but one that is based more on duty and beatings than friendship. Dromio is used to Antipholus being late home and is quick to point out that he is being punished for his master’s sins. Getting caught between his master and his wife and abused by both is something that has clearly happened many times before.

    Dromio says: ‘But we that know what ’tis to fast and pray / Are penitent for your default today’ (1:2)

    The relationship seems even weaker by Act 3 scene 1. Dromio is obedient as a servant but their relationship is not one of friendship and shared humour like their twins. When we meet Antipholus of Ephesus for the first time, he thinks Dromio has been lying to him and greets Dromio publicly with a lack of respect and Dromio is quick to tell him how bruised he is from his beatings. However, Dromio obediently fights his master’s corner at the door.

    Antipholus says: ‘Thou drunkard, thou, what didst thou mean by this?’ (3:1)
    Dromio says: ‘What patch is made our porter? — My master stays in the street.’ (3:1)

    Their master / servant relationship hits a new low in Act 4 scene 4 when Antipholus is arrested. Dromio complains about a lifetime of beatings from Antipholus. Antipholus says nothing in his defence; he seems to think this is normal behaviour from a master to a servant and that Dromio deserves it.

    Dromio says: ‘I have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.’ (4:4)
    Antipholus says: ‘Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass.’ (4:4)

    Their relationship seems to get a little stronger in Act 4 scene 4 when they are tied up together in jail and have to use each other to escape. Dromio has an idea to pretend they’re mad and Antipholus bites through their ropes. We hear from the messenger in Act 5 how they have worked together to punish Pinch and the others in the jail. This shows some teamwork in desperate times but we doubt their relationship will change. Neither Dromio nor Antipholus exchange any direct words in the reunion in Act 5.

    Dromio says: ‘Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master: cry ‘The devil!’ (4:4)
    Messenger: ‘My master preaches patience to him, and the while His man with scissors nicks him like a fool’ (5:1)

Dromio of Syracuse

  • Dromio of Syracuse - Dromio of Ephesus

    Their relationship is nonexistent at the start of the play. Although Egeon tells us they were separated in the shipwreck, neither twin knows the other exists.

    Egeon says: ‘To him one of the other twins was bound, Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems very strong at the end of the play, when they discover each other for the first time. They embrace and leave as equals and Shakespeare uses this image to end the play.

    Dromio of Ephesus says: ‘Me thinks you are my glass, and not my brother: / I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth.’ (5:1)
    Dromio of Syracuse says: ‘We came into the world like brother and brother; /And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.’ (5:1)

  • Dromio of Syracuse - Antipholus of Syracuse

    Their relationship seems strong at the start of the play. Master and Servant know each other well. Dromio is honest and Antipholus can trust him with his money. Dromio is sensitive to his master’s moods and cheers him up when he’s down. This is important as they have come a long way from home.

    Dromio says: ‘Many a man would take you at your word, / And go indeed, having so good a mean.’ (2:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘A trusty villain, sir, that very oft, / When I am dull with care and melancholy, / Lightens my humour with his merry jests.’ (1:2)

    The relationship has suffered a bit by Act 2 scene 2 as Antipholus has been confused by the wrong Dromio. Antipholus thinks Dromio is making insensitive jokes. He says he’s treated Dromio more like a friend than a servant and, as a result, he’s forgotten his place. Dromio stays good natured and obedient and tries to joke with his master, even when he’s being beaten for no reason.

    Antipholus says: ‘Because that I familiarly sometimes /Do use you for my fool and chat with you, /Your sauciness will jest upon my love, /And make a common of my serious hours.’ (2:2)
    Dromio says: ‘Was there ever any man thus beaten out of season, When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason? Well, sir, I thank you.’ (2:2)

    The relationship is reinforced by the end of Act 2 scene 2 as both men are confused and wary, so they are united in their experience. Later, in Act 3 scene 2, they are brought even closer by being confronted by women and told they have wives. The word play between Antipholus and Dromio in Act 3 scene 4 shows how close they are and how they enjoy and are used to joking together.

    Dromio says: ‘I am transformèd, master, am I not?’ (2:2)
    Antipholus says: ‘I think thou art in mind, and so am I.’ (2:2)

    The relationship between master and servant seems to get stronger in Act 4 scene 3 when they meet the Courtesan and assume she’s a witch. The two decide to escape Ephesus immediately. Later they join forces and draw swords to run from the Ephesians, finding shelter together in the abbey.

    Dromio says: ‘Master, be wise: an if you give it her, the devil will shake her chain and fright us with it.’ (4:3)
    Antipholus says: ‘Come to the Centaur; fetch our stuff from thence. / I long that we were safe and sound aboard.’ (4:1)

    Their relationship seems to be as strong as ever at the end of the play. Dromio assumes his master wishes to stay and is the first to suggest getting his stuff off the ship. Antipholus shows great warmth towards his servant by inviting him to embrace his twin brother first and join them inside.

    Dromio says: ‘Master, shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard?’ (5:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘I am your master, Dromio. /Come, go with us; we’ll look to that anon. /Embrace thy brother there; rejoice with him.’ (5:1)

Dromio of Ephesus

  • Dromio of Ephesus - Dromio of Syracuse

    Their relationship is nonexistent at the start of the play. Although Egeon tells us they were separated in the shipwreck, neither twin knows the other exists.

    Egeon says: ‘To him one of the other twins was bound, Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems very strong at the end of the play, when they discover each other for the first time. They embrace and leave as equals and Shakespeare uses this image to end the play.

    Dromio of Ephesus says: ‘Me thinks you are my glass, and not my brother: / I see by you I am a sweet-faced youth.’ (5:1)
    Dromio of Syracuse says: ‘We came into the world like brother and brother; /And now let’s go hand in hand, not one before another.’ (5:1)

  • Dromio of Ephesus - Antipholus of Ephesus

    Their relationship is a fairly strong one of servant and master but one that is based more on duty and beatings than friendship. Dromio is used to Antipholus being late home and is quick to point out that he is being punished for his master’s sins. Getting caught between his master and his wife and abused by both is something that has clearly happened many times before.

    Dromio says: ‘But we that know what ’tis to fast and pray / Are penitent for your default today’ (1:2)

    The relationship seems even weaker by Act 3 scene 1. Dromio is obedient as a servant but their relationship is not one of friendship and shared humour like their twins. When we meet Antipholus of Ephesus for the first time, he thinks Dromio has been lying to him and greets Dromio publicly with a lack of respect and Dromio is quick to tell him how bruised he is from his beatings. However, Dromio obediently fights his master’s corner at the door.

    Antipholus says: ‘Thou drunkard, thou, what didst thou mean by this?’ (3:1)
    Dromio says: ‘What patch is made our porter? — My master stays in the street.’ (3:1)

    Their master / servant relationship hits a new low in Act 4 scene 4 when Antipholus is arrested. Dromio complains about a lifetime of beatings from Antipholus. Antipholus says nothing in his defence; he seems to think this is normal behaviour from a master to a servant and that Dromio deserves it.

    Dromio says: ‘I have served him from the hour of my nativity to this instant and have nothing at his hands for my service but blows.’ (4:4)
    Antipholus says: ‘Thou art sensible in nothing but blows, and so is an ass.’ (4:4)

    Their relationship seems to get a little stronger in Act 4 scene 4 when they are tied up together in jail and have to use each other to escape. Dromio has an idea to pretend they’re mad and Antipholus bites through their ropes. We hear from the messenger in Act 5 how they have worked together to punish Pinch and the others in the jail. This shows some teamwork in desperate times but we doubt their relationship will change. Neither Dromio nor Antipholus exchange any direct words in the reunion in Act 5.

    Dromio says: ‘Will you be bound for nothing? Be mad, good master: cry ‘The devil!’ (4:4)
    Messenger: ‘My master preaches patience to him, and the while His man with scissors nicks him like a fool’ (5:1)

Adriana

  • Adriana - Luciana

    Their relationship seems quite strong in Act 2 Scene 1. Although they have their differences, the sisters are not afraid to talk honestly and confide quite personal things to each other. However, Luciana is not married and gives Adriana advice she can’t agree with.

    Adriana says: ‘To him one of the other twins was bound, / Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.’ (2:1)
    Luciana says: ‘Fie, how impatience loureth in your face!’ (2:1)

    Their relationship seems a little stronger in Act 2 scene 2 as the sisters are presenting a united front, working together to scold Antipholus.

    Luciana says: ‘Fie, brother! How the world is changed with you: / When were you wont to use my sister thus?’ (2:1)

    Their relationship seems to remain strong in Act 3 scene 2 when Luciana confronts Antipholus and tells him to be good to Adriana. She has the wrong man but her defence of her sister and desire to see Adriana’s happiness is clear. She is also horrified to think he is in love with her and runs off immediately to tell Adriana.

    She says: ‘If you did wed my sister for her wealth, /Then for her wealth’s sake use her with more kindness.’ (3:2)

    Their relationship seems to be very strong in Act 4 Scene 2. Luciana has told her sister of Antipholus’ behaviour but she takes no joy in it and Adriana does not blame Luciana for his attraction. They remain fiercely loyal to each other.

    Adriana says: ‘Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so?’ (4:2)
    Luciana says: ‘Then pleaded I for you.’ (4:2)

    Their relationship seems to remain very strong in Act 5 when Luciana defends Adriana in front of Emilia. Luciana is outraged that her sister is being treated badly and it is her idea to go to the Duke for justice. Adriana shows she has been influenced by Luciana’s patience and guidance by agreeing with Emilia about her jealous behaviour. She has learnt from her sister, despite their differences.

    Luciana says: ‘She never reprehended him but mildly, / When he demeaned himself rough, rude and wildly.’ (3:2)
    Adriana says: ‘She did betray me to my own reproof.’ (4:2)

  • Adriana - Antipholus of Ephesus

    Their relationship seems very weak at the start of the play. Adriana feels neglected by her husband who stays out late. She suspects he is having an affair and his behaviour has made her jealous and insecure. She blames him for her loss of looks and spirit.

    She says: ‘What ruins are in me that can be found, / By him not ruined? Then is he the ground / Of my defeatures. ’ (2:1)
    He says: ‘My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours.’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems a bit stronger in Act 2 Scene 2, when we see Adriana confront Antipholus of Syracuse, thinking he’s her husband. She scolds him but seems to still love him and reminds him of a time when their love was strong. She lowers her dignity to beg him back. In Act 3 Scene 1, we hear that Antipholus has ordered a gold chain to be made as a gift for Adriana but this could be out of guilt as he knows she is suspicious.

    She says: ‘never touch well welcome to thy hand, / That never meat sweet-savoured in thy taste, / Unless I spake, or looked, or touched, or carved to thee.’ (2:2)
    He says: ‘Say that I lingered with you at your shop / To see the making of her carcanet’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems weaker in Act 3 Scene 1 when Antipholus is locked out of his house. He blames his wife and immediately decides to punish her by giving the chain he is buying for her to a prostitute.

    He says: ‘That chain will I bestow — / Be it for nothing but to spite my wife — /Upon mine hostess there. ’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems to be not much stronger in Act 4 Scene 1 when Antipholus orders Dromio to fetch a rope to beat Adriana with. He is angry and blaming Adriana is the way he can make sense of all the confusion but his reaction is a violent one towards her. In contrast, Adriana shows a lot of love and forgiveness towards Antipholus, even after she hears he’s been flirting with her sister and has visited the Courtesan. Her reaction is to decide he’s mad, get him exorcised and pay his bills so he can come home. This unbalanced relationship lasts well into Act 5 with Adriana begging Emilia to let her in the abbey to help her husband and Antipholus telling the Duke that Adriana is behind all his suffering.

    He says: ‘go thou / And buy a rope’s end. That will I bestow /Among my wife and her confederates, /For locking me out of my doors by day.’ (4:1)
    She says: ‘I will attend my husband, be his nurse, / Diet his sickness, for it is my office.’ (5:1)

    Their relationship seems to be not much stronger at the end of the play. Adriana begs the Duke to help her husband and seems to accept her duty is to accept a husband as her master. Antipholus seems less angry in front of the Duke but believes his wife has spoilt his reputation. We don’t see them come together at the end of Act 5 and we can only guess if they can recover and have a happier marriage in the future.

    He says: ‘Beyond imagination is the wrong / That she this day hath shameless thrown on me.’ (5:1)
    She says: ‘Antipholus, my husband, / Whom I made lord of me and all I had’ (5:1)

Luciana

  • Luciana - Adriana

    Their relationship seems quite strong in Act 2 Scene 1. Although they have their differences, the sisters are not afraid to talk honestly and confide quite personal things to each other. However, Luciana is not married and gives Adriana advice she can’t agree with.

    Adriana says: ‘To him one of the other twins was bound, / Whilst I had been like heedful of the other.’ (2:1)
    Luciana says: ‘Fie, how impatience loureth in your face!’ (2:1)

    Their relationship seems a little stronger in Act 2 scene 2 as the sisters are presenting a united front, working together to scold Antipholus.

    Luciana says: ‘Fie, brother! How the world is changed with you: / When were you wont to use my sister thus?’ (2:1)

    Their relationship seems to remain strong in Act 3 scene 2 when Luciana confronts Antipholus and tells him to be good to Adriana. She has the wrong man but her defence of her sister and desire to see Adriana’s happiness is clear. She is also horrified to think he is in love with her and runs off immediately to tell Adriana.

    She says: ‘If you did wed my sister for her wealth, /Then for her wealth’s sake use her with more kindness.’ (3:2)

    Their relationship seems to be very strong in Act 4 Scene 2. Luciana has told her sister of Antipholus’ behaviour but she takes no joy in it and Adriana does not blame Luciana for his attraction. They remain fiercely loyal to each other.

    Adriana says: ‘Ah, Luciana, did he tempt thee so?’ (4:2)
    Luciana says: ‘Then pleaded I for you.’ (4:2)

    Their relationship seems to remain very strong in Act 5 when Luciana defends Adriana in front of Emilia. Luciana is outraged that her sister is being treated badly and it is her idea to go to the Duke for justice. Adriana shows she has been influenced by Luciana’s patience and guidance by agreeing with Emilia about her jealous behaviour. She has learnt from her sister, despite their differences.

    Luciana says: ‘She never reprehended him but mildly, / When he demeaned himself rough, rude and wildly.’ (3:2)
    Adriana says: ‘She did betray me to my own reproof.’ (4:2)

  • Luciana - Antipholus of Syracuse

    Their relationship seems weak when they first meet in Act 2 scene 2. Luciana believes he is her brother-in-law and scolds him for being unkind to her sister, Adriana. Antipholus of Syracuse is too confused to react to her at this point.

    She says: ‘Fie, brother! How the world is changed with you: / When were you wont to use my sister thus?’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems stronger in Act 3 scene 2 but seems more complicated. Luciana still believes he is her brother-in-law and pleads with him to treat her sister well. Antipholus now has time to see Luciana properly and seems to fall in love with her. He is so struck by her that he declares his feelings very quickly. Luciana is horrified by what she sees as his disloyalty to her sister but admits to Adriana in Act 4 Scene 2 that she would have been impressed by his words if he weren’t her brother-in-law.

    He says: ‘Are you a god? Would you create me new? / Transform me, then, and to your power I’ll yield.’ (3:1)
    She says: ‘With words that in an honest suit might move.’ (4:2)

    Their relationship weakens later in Act 3 Scene 1, when Antipholus decides Ephesus is enchanted and he must put Luciana out of his head. Luciana still thinks he’s her brother-in-law and therefore behaving very oddly.

    He says: ‘But lest myself be guilty to self-wrong, / I’ll stop mine ears against the mermaid’s song.’ (3:1)
    She says: ‘Who would be jealous then of such a one? / No evil lost is wailed when it is gone.’ (4:2)

    Their relationship seems a little stronger at the end of Act 5 when the truth is revealed and they are free to be together. One of Antipholus’ first thoughts is to tell Luciana he intends to pursue her. Luciana does not reply so we have to guess what she is thinking and if they have a future together.

    He says: ‘What I told you then / I hope I shall have leisure to make good, / If this be not a dream I see and hear.’ (5:1)

Egeon

  • Egeon - Antipholus of Syracuse

    Their relationship seems to be quite strong at the beginning of the play. Egeon loves his son but has not seen him in five years. Antipholus left Syracuse to go in search of his mother and brother and Egeon left Syracuse to search for Antipholus.

    Egeon says: ‘My youngest boy, and yet my eldest care’ (1:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘So I, to find a mother and a brother, / In quest of them, unhappy, lose myself.’ (1:2)

    We see the strain on their relationship by the five year separation in Act 5. Egeon thinks his son is pretending not to recognise him out of shame. When Antipholus of Syracuse finally sees his father, he almost doesn’t believe it.

    Egeon says: ‘But perhaps, my son, / Thou sham’st to acknowledge me in misery. ’ (5:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘Egeon art thou not? Or else his ghost.’ (5:1)

  • Egeon - Antipholus of Ephesus

    Their relationship seems to be weak at the start of the play as it exists only in memory. However, Egeon has risked his life searching for both his sons and is not happy without either.

    Egeon says: ‘Whom whilst I laboured of a love to see, / I hazarded the loss of whom I loved.’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems to still be weak at the start of Act 5. Antipholus hasn’t seen his father since he was a baby and so doesn’t recognise him. This hurts Egeon deeply as he thinks this is the son he brought up in Syracuse.

    Antipholus says: ‘I never saw you in my life till now.’ (5:1)
    Egeon says: ‘O, grief hath changed me since you saw me last’ (5:1)

    Their relationship seems to be strong at the end of the play. When Antipholus of Ephesus realises who Egeon is, he immediately offers to pay the fine to save his life.

    Antipholus says: ‘These ducats pawn I for my father here.’ (5:1)
    Egeon says: ‘tell me where is that son / That floated with thee on the fatal raft?’ (5:1)

  • Egeon - Emilia

    Their relationship seems fairly strong in Act 1 Scene 1. Although Egeon has not seen Emilia in 33 years, his memories of their marriage are fond. However he does add that Emilia might have been happier if it hadn’t been for his bad fortunes as a merchant.

    He says: ‘wed / Unto a woman, happy but for me, / And by me, had not our hap been bad. / With her I lived in joy’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems strong in Act 5 when they are reunited. As soon as Emilia recognises Egeon, she wants to free him from his bonds. Egeon is dazed and can’t believe he has found his wife after all this time.

    She says: ‘Whoever bound him, I will loose his bonds, / And gain a husband by his liberty.’ (5:1)
    He says: ‘If I dream not, thou art Emilia.’ (5:1)

  • Egeon - Duke Solinus

    Their relationship seems to be that of enemies at the start of the play because of the enmity between their two cities. Neither, however, seems to take it personally. Egeon has broken the law by coming to Ephesus and the Duke has no choice but to uphold the law. Egeon is ready to accept his fate to put an end to his suffering.

    Egeon says: ‘Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, / And by the doom of death end woes and all.’ (1:1)
    The Duke says: ‘Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more: / I am not partial to infringe our laws.’ (4:1)

    The relationship strengthens a little in Act 1 scene 1, when Egeon tells his tragic tale and the Duke takes pity on him. Egeon does not want to go through his tale as it is too painful but must respect the Duke. The Duke is moved by his misfortune and wants to pardon him but is not allowed by law. Instead, he gives Egeon a day to raise his ransom money.

    Egeon says: ‘’A heavier task could not have been imposed, / Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable.’ (1:1)
    The Duke says: ‘were it not against our laws, / Against my crown, my oath, my dignity, / Which princes, would they may not disannul, / My soul should sue as advocate for thee.’ (1:1)

    Their relationship gets much stronger in Act 5 when the Duke realises who Egeon really is. The Duke is leading Egeon to his execution but when he learns that his friend Antipholus of Ephesus is Egeon’s son, he pardons Egeon completely.

    The Duke says: ‘If any friend will pay the sum for him, / He shall not die, so much we tender him.’ (5:1)
    Egeon says: ‘Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word; / Haply I see a friend will save my life’ (5:1)

Emilia

  • Emilia - Antipholus of Ephesus

    From what Egeon tells us in Act 1 Scene 1, their relationship was very strong. On the ship, Emilia was most worried about the safety of the younger twin (Antipholus of Ephesus) and made sure he was tied to the mast next to her.

    He says: ‘My wife, more careful for the latter-born, / Had fastened him unto a small spare mast’ (1:1)

    Their relationship is renewed in Act 5 when they are reunited at last. Emilia explains that she was parted from her son ‘By force’ soon after the shipwreck and has not seen him since.

    She says: ‘till this present hour / My heavy burden ne’er deliverèd.’ (5:1)

  • Emilia and Antipholus of Syracuse

    Their relationship seems strong in Act 1 Scene 1. We only hear it through Egeon’s story but it is a bond of mother and child.

    Egeon says: ‘she became / A joyful mother of two goodly sons’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems stronger in Act 5 when they are united at last. Emilia says she has not seen her sons in 33 years.

    She says: ‘After so long grief, such nativity. ’ (5:1)

  • Emilia - Egeon

    Their relationship seems fairly strong in Act 1 Scene 1. Although Egeon has not seen Emilia in 33 years, his memories of their marriage are fond. However he does add that Emilia might have been happier if it hadn’t been for his bad fortunes as a merchant.

    He says: ‘wed / Unto a woman, happy but for me, / And by me, had not our hap been bad. / With her I lived in joy’ (1:1)

    Their relationship seems strong in Act 5 when they are reunited. As soon as Emilia recognises Egeon, she wants to free him from his bonds. Egeon is dazed and can’t believe he has found his wife after all this time.

    She says: ‘Whoever bound him, I will loose his bonds, / And gain a husband by his liberty.’ (5:1)
    He says: ‘If I dream not, thou art Emilia.’ (5:1)

Duke Solinus

  • Duke Solinus - Egeon

    Their relationship seems to be that of enemies at the start of the play because of the enmity between their two cities. Neither, however, seems to take it personally. Egeon has broken the law by coming to Ephesus and the Duke has no choice but to uphold the law. Egeon is ready to accept his fate to put an end to his suffering.

    Egeon says: ‘Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall, / And by the doom of death end woes and all.’ (1:1)
    The Duke says: ‘Merchant of Syracusa, plead no more: / I am not partial to infringe our laws.’ (4:1)

    The relationship strengthens a little in Act 1 scene 1, when Egeon tells his tragic tale and the Duke takes pity on him. Egeon does not want to go through his tale as it is too painful but must respect the Duke. The Duke is moved by his misfortune and wants to pardon him but is not allowed by law. Instead, he gives Egeon a day to raise his ransom money.

    Egeon says: ‘’A heavier task could not have been imposed, / Than I to speak my griefs unspeakable.’ (1:1)
    The Duke says: ‘were it not against our laws, / Against my crown, my oath, my dignity, / Which princes, would they may not disannul, / My soul should sue as advocate for thee.’ (1:1)

    Their relationship gets much stronger in Act 5 when the Duke realises who Egeon really is. The Duke is leading Egeon to his execution but when he learns that his friend Antipholus of Ephesus is Egeon’s son, he pardons Egeon completely.

    The Duke says: ‘If any friend will pay the sum for him, / He shall not die, so much we tender him.’ (5:1)
    Egeon says: ‘Most mighty duke, vouchsafe me speak a word; / Haply I see a friend will save my life’ (5:1)

  • Duke Solinus - Antipholus of Ephesus

    Their relationship is a strong one, although we don’t learn this until the end of the play. Antipholus has been brought to Ephesus by the Duke’s uncle as a child. He has fought beside the Duke in the wars and saved his life. In return, the Duke has become his patron, giving him protection and a rich wife. In return, Antipholus has great respect for the Duke.

    The Duke says: ‘Long since, thy husband served me in my wars, / And I to thee engaged a prince’s word, / When thou didst make him master of thy bed, / To do him all the grace and good I could.’ (5:1)
    Antipholus says: ‘O, grant me justice, Even for the service that long since I did thee, /When I bestrid thee in the wars, and took / Deep scars to save thy life’ (5:1)

The Courtesan

  • The Courtesan - Antipholus of Ephesus

    Their relationship seems fairly strong and established at the start of the play. Antipholus seems to visit the Courtesan often and enjoy her company. His wife suspects her husband is seeing another woman although he claims he has not been unfaithful.

    He says: ‘I know a wench of excellent discourse, / Pretty and witty, wild, and yet, too, gentle.’ (3:1)

    Their relationship seems weaker in Act 4 Scene 3 when the Courtesan suspects him of cheating her. Antipholus has promised her a gold chain and she has given him a diamond ring in return. When she meets Antipholus of Syracuse, she assumes he is Antipholus of Ephesus and asks him for the chain. He calls her a devil and a witch. She thinks he has gone mad and as she can’t afford to lose the ring with no return she decides to talk to Adriana.

    She says: ‘Now, out of doubt Antipholus is mad, / Else would he never so demean himself.’ (4:3)

    Their relationship seems weaker in Act 4 Scene 4 when Antipholus of Ephesus, now under arrest for not paying the goldsmith for the chain, meets the Courtesan, who is with Adriana and Luciana. The women all seem to think he is mad and want to take him somewhere safe. Antipholus thinks everyone is conspiring against him.

    She says: ‘How say you now? Is not your husband mad?’ (4:4)

    At the end of the play the Courtesan witnesses how the confusion is resolved and asks Antipholus of Ephesus for her ring back. He gives it to her. Now his wife knows everything it is uncertain if they will meet again.

    He says: ‘There take it and much thanks for my good cheer’ (5.1)

Teacher Notes

On this page students can arrange the characters on the screen, showing the connections between the characters and their relationships. They can then print this using the button on the page and label them with their own quotes.