The Comedy of Errors

The comedy of errors, a comedy by William Shakespear written in 1594. The play about two sets of identical twins separated as infants, and the absurdity surrounding their accidental reunion. The play is definitely full of foolishness, frippery, and that lack of deep content.

The play hinges on coincidence. When Antipholus of Syracuse arrives, the merchant pays him a thousand marks and simultaneously warns him that a Syracusan was arrested that very day. Antipholus of Syracuse therefore has a chance to immediately ransom Egeon, and be reunited with his father. But it turns out that he is too self-absorbed throughout the entire beginning, preferring instead to walk alone through the streets. This actually relates to the title, since error comes from the Latin to "wander." Thus the play is really about wandering, and characters trying to find their true identities. This is further played up in a humorous context by the two Dromios, who themselves are called bondsmen. Thus, when Dromio of Ephesus is bound, he turns and comments on the fact that he is now literally bound to his master.

And indeed, because this play is a comedy, everything that threatens  the laughter is eliminated at the end. it is not only the characters' confusion that is relieved by the final scene, in which the "errors" are explained and resolved; all the darker, unpleasant issues are resolved as well. Comedy of Errors? What do you expect? Of course, having comedy plus errors in the story, perfect ingridients for an excellent play.