The Comedy of Errors

A man condemned to death. Two sets of identical twins. One city where no one can tell them apart. William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors is a whirlwind farce of mistaken identity, lost family, and the hilarious chaos that ensues when two brothers—and their two servants—unknowingly cross paths in the same town. Written in the early 1590s and first printed in 1623, it remains one of Shakespeare's most performed and accessible comedies.

This edition presents the complete text of the play. It includes a new introduction that sets the play in its historical and theatrical context, a character guide to help you keep track of the twins and their companions, a summary of the plot, and an exploration of the play's major themes. A glossary explains unfamiliar words and phrases, and discussion questions invite readers, students, and book clubs to dig deeper into the play's language, ideas, and stagecraft.

Whether you are encountering Shakespeare for the first time or returning to a favorite, this edition offers everything you need to enjoy and understand The Comedy of Errors.