The Comedy of Errors · Character

Antipholus of Ephesus

A prosperous Ephesian merchant whose locked door, arrested goldsmith, and furious wife turn one ordinary noontime into a public nightmare of mistaken identity.

major

Also known as Antipholus, Antipholus of Ephesus Good Signior Angelo, Antipholus of Ephesus Fie, Antipholus of Ephesus Peace, Antipholus of Ephesus Dissembling harlot, Antipholus of Ephesus Justice, Antipholus of Ephesus Good Lord, Antipholus of Ephesus Dromio

First appearance: act i scene ii

As a major figure in The Comedy of Errors, Antipholus of Ephesus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Locked out of his own house, he plans to dine at the Porpentine and spite his wife by giving away a gold chain.

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With Dromio of Ephesus (professional): Antipholus of Ephesus is the master of Dromio of Ephesus, who serves as his loyal but often beaten slave and messenger. With Adriana (family): Adriana is the jealous and anxious wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, constantly accusing him of infidelity. With Sister (family): Sister is likely a servant or relative in the household, interacting frequently with Antipholus of Ephesus in domestic scenes.

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See Antipholus of Ephesus in act i scene ii

Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Antipholus of Ephesus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Family

Character groups

Protagonist
Ephesus authority figures
Syracuse travelers and associates

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it represents the peak of confusion and danger, with Antipholus of S…

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Relationships

Dromio of Ephesus
professional · ambivalent
Antipholus of Ephesus is the master of Dromio of Ephesus, who serves as his loyal but… How this plays out →
Adriana
family · ambivalent
Sister
family · ambivalent
Luce
professional · ambivalent
Luciana
family · ambivalent
Aegeon
family · positive
Angelo
professional · negative
Pinch
professional · negative
Dromio of Ephesus
professional · ambivalent
Antipholus of Ephesus is the master of Dromio of Ephesus, who serves as his loyal but… How this plays out →

Dromio of Ephesus
Antipholus of Ephesus is the master of Dromio of Ephesus, who serves as his loyal but often beaten slave and messenger.
Adriana
Adriana is the jealous and anxious wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, constantly accusing him of infidelity.
Sister
Sister is likely a servant or relative in the household, interacting frequently with Antipholus of Ephesus in domestic scenes.
Luce
Luce is a servant in the household of Antipholus of Ephesus, often involved in the confusion of identities.
Luciana
Luciana is the sister-in-law of Antipholus of Ephesus, and he mistakenly courts her due to the twin confusion.
Aegeon
Aegeon is the long-lost father of Antipholus of Ephesus, seeking him in Ephesus under threat of execution.
Angelo
Angelo is a goldsmith who delivers a chain to Antipholus of Ephesus, leading to a dispute over payment.
Pinch
Pinch is a schoolmaster and conjurer called to exorcise Antipholus of Ephesus, whom Adriana believes is mad.
Dromio of Ephesus
Antipholus of Ephesus is the master of Dromio of Ephesus, who serves as his loyal but often beaten slave and messenger.

Relationship notes

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See Antipholus of Ephesus in act i scene ii

In the story

Antipholus of Ephesus appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

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See Antipholus of Ephesus in act i scene ii

See Antipholus of Ephesus in Scene I