During my research for this paper I learned that, in comparison to the other Shakespearian plays,The Comedy of Errorshas been only relatively little reviewed and criticized. The play ranks withLove’s Labours LostandThe Two Gentlemen of Veronato the so-called Early Comedies, and therefore some scholars deem the style not as refined and as perfect as in Shakespeare’s later plays. Some even consider the play not to be written by the master himself but to be “the work of an inferior playwright, a bookish exercise, or an apprentice piece”1, which was only lectured by Shakespeare. They say that the play is an adaptation toMenaechmiby Plautus, but without its intensity, because the main focus lies on the comical elements of the play while Plautus stresses the tragedy in the story. ThereforeThe Comedy of Errorsis often seen in a very limited dimension.
In this paper I will show thatThe Comedy of Errorsis more than simply a poor adaptation of the ancient Plautine material and that “there is more substance to the play than the obvious noisy surface action, which seems often to have absorbed critics’ attention, to the exclusion of everything else.”
This quote is probably the best-known of the whole play and represents one of the main themes of the play. All the characters seem to be on a constant search for someone or something they have lost. After a short introduction to the play, its reception and its sources, the main focus of the paper will lie on the investigation of the lost and found theme inThe Comedy of Errors.This aspect will be enlightened from different angles and from the perspective of the play’s characters. The direct search for a person will be analyzed as well as the seeking for love, harmony, family and identity.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Main Part
1. The play
1.1. First publication
1.2. Form and structure
1.3. The plot
1.4. The reception
1.5. The sources
2. The lost and found theme
2.1. Egeon
2.2. Antipholus of Syracuse
2.3. Antipholus of Ephesus
2.4. Adriana and Luciana
2.5. Emilia
2.6. Dromio of Syracuse and Dromio of Ephesus
2.7. Goldsmith, Merchant, Courtesan
III. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper aims to investigate the profound theme of "lost and found" in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, moving beyond the perception of the play as a mere farce or superficial adaptation of Plautine material. It explores how characters across different social standings search for identity, family, love, and stability, suggesting that the "happy ending" of the play is more complex than it appears on the surface.
- The narrative role of familial separation and the search for identity.
- Character-specific motivations behind the search for "lost" elements.
- The structural impact of the "lost and found" motif on the drama.
- Biblical and classical literary influences on the play's themes.
- The distinction between physical reunion and psychological resolution.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. Antipholus of Syracuse
With Antipholus of Syracuse the notion of lost and found extends even more. Miola characterizes him as “a melancholy wanderer, an enthusiast, a lover who beats his slave but is kind.” First of all, he is the one who actively searches for his brother and mother. When his family was separated by shipwreck he was so young that he could not remember his mother or twin brother. He grew up in the house of his father, who kept the memory of the relatives alive, but did not make strong efforts in searching for them because he had long since lost his hope of being reunited with them once again. AoS’s opinion differed from his father’s, and it was probably his melancholy and enthusiasm which made him decide to search for them.
When he enters Ephesus he does not seem to believe to find them because there is no particular hint that he is on the right track. He even more seems to reflect his search intensely now. In the beginning his mission was to find two lost people. Now AoS is in a stage of searching for himself, too. In twin investigation the phenomenon of one twin who can feel what his counterpart feels is well-known. Although AoS does not have a solid proof that his brother is alive he feels that there is something in him that is incomplete without his counterpart.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Presents the paper's thesis that the play is undervalued and offers more thematic substance regarding the "lost and found" motif than typically acknowledged.
II. Main Part: Provides a structural and contextual analysis of the play, followed by a detailed examination of how individual characters—from Egeon to the Dromios—experience and pursue their search for lost connections.
III. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that the play's happy ending is superficial, as many character desires for true love, freedom, or identity remain fundamentally unfulfilled or unresolved.
Keywords
Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, Lost and Found, Identity, Family Reunion, Ephesus, Plautus, Antipholus, Dromio, Adriana, Luciana, Egeon, Emilia, Separation, Biblical Influence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper examines the central theme of "lost and found" in The Comedy of Errors, arguing that the play possesses significant depth beyond its reputation as a simple farce.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The themes include familial loss, the search for identity, the role of Christian and classical influences, and the psychological impact of separation on the characters.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze the "lost and found" motif through the lens of individual characters, demonstrating how their personal searches for meaning shape the narrative.
Which methodology is employed in the work?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context, secondary critical literature, and character studies to re-evaluate the play's thematic substance.
What does the main part of the work entail?
It covers the play's publication and structure, sources (such as Plautus), and an extensive breakdown of the character arcs regarding their specific losses and searches.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Identity, separation, familial bonds, Christian influence, and the "lost and found" structural motif.
How does the author interpret the reunion of Egeon's family?
The author suggests that the happy ending is largely superficial and that the long-term sustainability of these reunited relationships remains questionable.
What role does the biblical reference play in the work?
Biblical allusions, particularly regarding wifely submission, are analyzed to highlight the internal conflicts and gender dynamics between characters like Adriana, Luciana, and their respective partners.
What is the conclusion regarding the Dromio brothers?
The paper concludes that while they gain a sense of brotherhood, their fundamental desire for freedom from slavery remains unaddressed and unfulfilled by the play's conclusion.
- Quote paper
- Conny Schibisch (Author), 2006, The Comedy of Errors - Investigation on the lost & found theme in Shakespeare's shortest play, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/66870
