# Antipholus of Ephesus — The Comedy of Errors character guide

> Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** 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:** 0003-act-i-scene-ii

## Who they are

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

## Relationships

### [Dromio of Ephesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/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.

### [Adriana](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/adriana)

_family_

Adriana is the jealous and anxious wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, constantly accusing him of infidelity.

### [Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/sister)

_family_

Sister is likely a servant or relative in the household, interacting frequently with Antipholus of Ephesus in domestic scenes.

### [Luce](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/luce)

_professional_

Luce is a servant in the household of Antipholus of Ephesus, often involved in the confusion of identities.

### [Luciana](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/luciana)

_family_

Luciana is the sister-in-law of Antipholus of Ephesus, and he mistakenly courts her due to the twin confusion.

### [Aegeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/aegeon)

_family_

Aegeon is the long-lost father of Antipholus of Ephesus, seeking him in Ephesus under threat of execution.

### [Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/angelo)

_professional_

Angelo is a goldsmith who delivers a chain to Antipholus of Ephesus, leading to a dispute over payment.

### [Pinch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/pinch)

_professional_

Pinch is a schoolmaster and conjurer called to exorcise Antipholus of Ephesus, whom Adriana believes is mad.

### [Dromio of Ephesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/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.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

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

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i)

Arrested for debt after denying receipt of the gold chain from Angelo.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Arrested for debt, accused of madness, and locked out of his own house; confronts Adriana and Pinch.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

The other twin; his arrest and confusion are resolved in the final reunion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters/antipholus_of_ephesus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_comedy_of_errors_se/characters