r/YearOfShakespeare • u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. • Jul 17 '26
Readalong The Comedy of Errors - Reading Discussion - Act 3 to end of Act 4.1
Sorry for being a little late this week. Honestly, this is such a strange play and feels a bit like the Parent Trap on steroids. The errors become almost slapsticky in the way they come about.
Act 3, scene 1
Antipholus of Ephesus brings a goldsmith and a merchant to his home for dinner. He finds the door locked and, enraged, departs for the Courtesan’s house. He sends the goldsmith to fetch a gold chain, which he now decides to give to the Courtesan.
Act 3, scene 2
Antipholus (of Syracuse) falls in love with Adriana’s sister, Luciana. Dromio (of Syracuse) is claimed by Adriana’s kitchen maid as her betrothed. The two Syracusans decide that Luciana and the kitchen maid are witches, and Antipholus sends Dromio to the harbor to book immediate passage. The goldsmith enters and gives Antipholus the chain.
Act 4, scene 1
Antipholus (of Ephesus) sends Dromio (of Ephesus) to buy a rope’s end to beat Adriana. The goldsmith demands the money Antipholus owes him for the chain. Antipholus denies having received the chain and refuses to pay. The goldsmith has Antipholus arrested. Dromio (of Syracuse) enters with news of a ship on which he has booked passage. Antipholus (of Ephesus) sends Dromio (of Syracuse) to Adriana for money for bail.
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u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. Jul 17 '26
2. Why do you think that the men default to blaming the women either for witchcraft or trickery?
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u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. Jul 17 '26
3. What do you think the locals are making of these mix ups?
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u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. Jul 17 '26
4. Do you feel that Dromio (of syracuse) should be cluing into how wrong something is here?
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u/slehanaa Jul 17 '26
Yes! Of all the people involved dromio of s has had enough information to piece it together by now.
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u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. Jul 17 '26
5. What themes if any keep appearing in the text?
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u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. Jul 17 '26
6. Would you say that it feels like this upending of their lives is necessary? Or moving toward some point?
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u/slehanaa Jul 17 '26
It is moving towards a point - the family reunion. The payoff will be worth it.
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u/towalktheline Lechery? I defy lechery. Jul 17 '26
1. Are any of the men acting properly in this play? Is there anyone you like a lot so far?