The Comedy of Errors

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Book: Read The Comedy of Errors for Free Online
Authors: William Shakespeare
accompanied by Luciana, the Courtesan, and Pinch, in time to see Antipholus beating his servant. The Courtesan argues thatthis is proof of Antipholus’ madness and Adriana agrees. She asks Pinch, as a “conjurer,” to restore her husband’s “true sense.” Pinch tries to feel his pulse but Antipholus strikes him. Pinch then tries to exorcise the devil from Antipholus, who insists he is not mad. He turns to his wife and asks if Pinch was the man she had to “Revel and feast” at his house while he was denied entry. Adriana takes this as further proof of his madness. She assures him that he “dined at home” which he denies, backed up by Dromio. Antipholus then accuses her of sending Angelo to arrest him, but she protests that she sent Dromio with the money to “redeem” him. Despite the others’ insistence that he collected the money, Dromio insists that he was “sent for nothing but a rope.” Pinch declares that both Antipholus and Dromio are “possessed.” Again, Adriana denies that Antipholus was locked out, and he begins to threaten her violently. Several men try to tie him up as he struggles and the officer protests that if his prisoner is taken away, he becomes liable for the debt. Adriana says that she will pay and instructs the men to take her husband home. They leave, taking Antipholus and Dromio.
    Lines 129–157: Adriana asks who Antipholus owes money to, and how much. The jailer tells her about the chain, and Adriana asks to be taken to Angelo. Just then, Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse enter, swords drawn, and everyone assumes that Antipholus and Dromio of Ephesus have escaped. They all run away and Antipholus observes that “these witches are afraid of swords.” He orders Dromio to fetch their belongings from the inn, insisting that they will leave that night.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
    Lines 1–37: Angelo apologizes to the merchant, insisting that Antipholus has the necklace, “Though most dishonestly he doth deny it.” As they speak, ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE enters, and Angelo challenges him for “openly” wearing the chain that he has denied having. As they argue, Adriana and her companions arrive and tell the merchant and Angelo that Antipholus is mad. They try to apprehend Antipholus and Dromio, who escape into a priory.
    Lines 38–131: Emilia demands to know why Adriana’s party is disturbing the priory. Adriana explains that they are trying to find her “poor distracted husband.” She explains that he has been “heavy, sour, [and] sad” for a while, but that he has been much worse that afternoon, in an “extremity of rage.” Emilia says that Adriana has turned Antipholus mad with her jealousy: “The venom clamours of a jealous woman / Poisons more deadly than a mad dog’s tooth.” Luciana defends her sister, but Adriana says that Emilia speaks the truth. She asks her companions to “lay hold” of Antipholus but Emilia will not let them in. She argues that Antipholus has taken “sanctuary” in the priory, and that she will not release him until she has “brought him to his wits again.” Adriana insists that she wants to nurse her husband but Emilia refuses. Luciana says that they should complain to the Duke of Ephesus. The merchant comments that “the dial points at five,” and observes that the duke himself is approaching to oversee the execution of Egeon.
    Lines 132–191: The duke enters with his officials, leading Egeon and asking “If any friend will pay the sum for him.” Adriana asks him for “Justice … against the abbess” and explains that her husband has had an “outrageous fit of madness” and escaped into the abbey but Emilia will not release him. The duke promises to investigate and tells them to “knock at the abbey-gate.” As they do so, a messenger brings Adriana the news that her husband and servant “are both broke loose” and have attacked Pinch. He begs her to send help, but she tells him that Antipholus and Dromio are in the abbey. He tells

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