Dromio of Syracuse

Play

The Comedy of Errors

Summary

Dromio of Syracuse is the servant twin accompanying Antipholus of Syracuse, and the primary source of the play's verbal comedy. Where his master experiences the errors philosophically, Dromio processes them through rapid-fire puns, comic descriptions, and physical buffoonery. His most famous comic set-piece is his extended geographical description of the kitchen wench Nell, who mistakes him for her husband — mapping the countries of the world onto her enormous body.

Notable Quotations

"She is spherical, like a globe; I could find out countries in her." *(3.2)*

"Time is a very bankrupt and owes more than he's worth to season. / Nay, he's a thief too: have you not heard men say, / That Time comes stealing on by night and day?" *(4.2)*

Cross-references