Analyse the two Dromios
At the start of the play, we are told that both twins started out the same, born to a poor family and bought by Egeon to be servants to his twins. After the shipwreck, they have had very different lives. In Act 1 Scene 2, Dromio of Syracuse arrives in Ephesus with his master, having grown up with him, then travelled with him on his search. Like his master, he is unmarried and equally wary of this strange unfriendly land.
In comparison, Dromio of Ephesus has a more settled life. He lives in his master’s house and is married to the kitchen maid, Nell. His master, Antipholus of Ephesus, is an established citizen with a reputation to uphold and Dromio is used to a getting a beating. He is also beaten by Adriana, being caught in the middle of an unhappy marriage.
Both servants are extremely witty and resourceful and they are obviously difficult to tell apart but when playing one of the Dromios, it is important to examine their differences. So, we need to ask:
How different are the twins?
We’ve started to think below about some of the things that have affected the Dromio twins. See if you can complete the grid to make four points that could answer this question. It doesn’t matter if you agree or not, as long as you can back it up! Looking at the following scenes might also help to collect evidence:
- Act 1 Scene 2: Take a look at how both Dromios speak to Antipholus of Syracuse. Do they use different types of language? Do they expect different things from their master?
- Act 3 Scene 1: Look at how both Dromios handle the locked door part of this scene. How are they both adding to the comedy?
- Act 5 Scene 1: Explore the moment where the Dromio twins meet at the end of this act. Did they even know they had a twin brother? How do they feel about each other? Why does Shakespeare choose to end the play with them?
Point
Dromio of Syracuse is closer to his master than Dromio of Ephesus.
Evidence
‘A trusty villain, sir, that very oft, / When I am dull with care and melancholy, / Lightens my humour with his merry jests.’ (Antipholus of Syracuse 1:2)
Explanation
It is unusual for a gentleman to talk about a servant in this way, suggesting that Dromio is important to Antipholus. This is possibly because they have only had each other and Dromio has worked hard to lift his master’s spirits, a much more emotional challenge than mere fetching and carrying.
Point
Dromio of Ephesus gets beaten more by his master.
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Point
Both Dromios are honest men.
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For an insight into what it is like playing the Dromio twins, you can read this interview with actors Bruce Mackinnon and Felix Hayes from the 2012 production.