The Comedy of Errors

The Comedy of Errors Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

The scene opens in a hall in the palace of Solinus, Duke of Ephesus. Egion, a merchant of Syracuse has been brought before the Duke to plead his case. The Duke explains that although he has no personal dispute with Egion, he must abide by the laws of his country, which require that Egion must either pay a hefty fine or be executed. In Syracuse, harsh laws have been enacted against the merchants of Ephesus. Ephesus has been forced to enact similar laws in recompense. Therefore, although he pities Egion's misfortune, the Duke has no choice but to enforce the law, which condemns Egion to death.

Egion tells the duke that he is comforted that execution will put an end to his troubles. The Duke wishes to know why Egion has risked his life by coming to Ephesus. Egion explains that he has not come to cause offense, but because he has been driven by circumstances and proceeds to tell his story.

Egion was once happily married to Emilia and living in Syracuse. As a merchant, he made numerous trips abroad. When one of his trips was extended over several months, his wife decided to follow after him. After arriving safely, his wife gave birth to twin sons. At the same time and in the same inn, another woman also gave birth to twin boys. Egion decided to purchase the second set of twins as attendants for his own sons.

Urged by his wife to return home, Egion set sail for home with his family and attendants. They encountered bad weather, and their crew abandoned the ship in fear of portents of death. Hoping to keep himself and his family safe, Egion had his wife tie herself, their older son and one of the twin servant children to the mizzen mast, and fastened himself and the other two children to the main mast on the other side of the ship. They could see two boats approaching, but the ship at last struck a rock and broke apart, separating the family before either could reach them.

Egion saw his wife and the two children with her rescued by what appeared to be a boat from Corinth. He was rescued shortly afterwards by the other boat which took him, his younger son and one of the servant twins home to Syracuse. The boats never caught up with one another, and he does not know what became of the rest of his family.

When Egion's younger son turned 18, he requested leave to go out in search for his brother, taking his servant with him, since the servant was also seeking a lost brother. Risking the loss of one set of loved ones, for the sake of finding the loved ones he has lost, Egion agreed. When they did not return, he set off to seek them through every land, where men can be found. After traveling through Greece and Asia, Egion passed through Ephesus on his way home. He says that he will die happy, if only he could know that his sons lived.

The Duke is moved by pity, but it against his honor and his crown to break his own laws. He cannot reverse the sentence of death. Instead, the Duke offers to let Egion go out into the city to seek the money he needs to pay his ransom. He can make up the sum by begging or borrowing from any friends he has in Ephesus. If he can pay it before sunset, his life will be spared. Egion leaves without hope of more than putting off his execution until sunset.