The Comedy of Errors

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes depictions of sexism and violence.

Adriana is upset that her husband, Antipholus, has not come home, leaving her and her sister Luciana waiting to eat. Luciana entreats her to be patient, saying she must allow Antipholus the liberty to do as he wishes. Adriana questions why men are allowed more liberty than women, who are stuck at home waiting. Luciana tells her that all females owe their male masters obedience, even in the natural world, and they must accept this. Adriana says Luciana is only able to be so saintly because she is not married, and therefore has never had to live with the reality of her situation.

Dromio of Ephesus returns, having been sent to track down Antipholus. He recounts that they had a confusing conversation: He tried to summon him home, but Antipholus just kept insisting that he gave him 1,000 marks in gold. Antipholus then denied having a wife or a home in the city at all, and beat Dromio until he fled. Furious, Adriana sends Dromio back out again to get Antipholus to come home. He refuses, scared of Antipholus’s violence, but Adriana threatens to beat him until he obeys.