The Comedy of Errors

 

 

play by William Shakespeare

Adaptation by Ruth Salles from the English original

NOTE

The Comedy of Errors was first published in 1623. Already quoted, however, in 1598, it is said to have been written around 1591. In this his only farce, Shakespeare seems to have been based on Plautus, but there are still doubts about this. The play is between comedy and drama: the drama of Aegeus when looking for his missing wife and children and the story of these two twin sons, with their two twin servants, always confused in the course of the plot, which causes the comedy scenes. . Aegeus is from Syracuse, on the island of Sicily, and arrives at Ephesus, one of the cities founded in Asia Minor by the Ionians after they were expelled from ancient Greece by the Dorians. A twin Antipholus and his servant Dromio were brought up in Syracuse with their father Aegeus. The other twin Antipholus and his servant Dromio lived in Ephesus.

As it is very long for the age of our actors, this play was slightly condensed at the request of the class teacher, Ivani Almeida Blanco. The play's director, Fernanda Camargo, also made some very successful changes: the courtesan, a character in the story, became two, and the cook Graça, a character only mentioned by Drômio, appeared in the play several times, which made the comedy even funnier, doubly so. Professor Joyce Gomes, who took care of the musical direction, suggested singing parts, as it is a class very given to singing. So while there are no sung parts in Shakespeare's original, Joyce chose music by Henry Purcell, a contemporary of the great playwright, for which I recreated lyrics from four passages from the play. These lyrics, as well as the songs, are found at the end of this volume.

Ruth Salles, 2006

 

 

CHARACTERS

SOLIN, Duke of Ephesus.
AEGEUS, merchant of Syracuse.

EPHHESUS ANTIPHOLUS and
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE, twin sons of Aegeus and Aemilia.

DROMIO OF EPHESUS and
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE, twin servants of the two Antipholes.

BALTAZAR, merchant.
ANGELO, goldsmith.
FIRST MERCHANT, friend of Antipholus of Syracuse.
SECOND MERCHANT, to whom Angelo is indebted.
PINCH, professor.

PORTER OF THE ABBEY, in Ephesus, which is Emilia, wife of Aegeus.
ADRIANA, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus.
LUCIANA, her sister.
LUZIA, Adriana's maid.
COURTESAN.

Jailer, guard, two of Pinch's servants, members of the duke's entourage.

Scene: Ephesus

 

FIRST ACT

Scene 1
Duke's Palace Room.
Duke Solino, Aegeus, the jailer, gentlemen and ladies of the entourage.

 

AEGEUS:
– Duke Solino, seal my luck,
and my pain will end with death.

DUKE:
– Shut up, merchant of Syracuse!
I am the Duke of Ephesus and I cannot
be partial or break the law.
If in Syracuse our merchants
were slain by that terrible law,
created by the one who governs you today,
now a citizen of Syracuse
will be arrested if found in Ephesus,
will be killed and his possessions confiscated,
unless he pays the fine here
thousand marks, which you, Aegean, do not have.

AEGEUS:
— For your law shall be my comfort.
I will forget the pain being dead.

DUKE:
– Syracuse Aegean, I want to hear
what brought you to Ephesus.

AEGEUS:
- Couldn't be a worse task
than to narrate here the unspeakable,
which is the pain that caused my coming.
But it's fair for the world to witness
that the force of fate has brought me,
and no offense to you and to Ephesus.
I was born in Syracuse, and there I got married
with Emilia, the wife who gave me
two identical twins.
On the same day, a humble woman
gave birth to two boys, also twins.
The poor parents had no condition
to create any of them, and I bought them,
to be servants in the future
of our two boys. We thought
in calling one of the sons of Antipholus,
and one of Dromio's servants. But nothing
we decided then. 'Cause we were
away from home, on a business trip.
As we return by sea, in a short time
our boat, dizzy in the storm,
wanted to show us that death was near.
The sailors fled in their boats,
letting the boat sink with us.
Emilia tied herself to the end of one of the poles,
and I tied myself to the other. Each one
tied with him a son and one of the little ones
that we buy. Flying over the sea,
we saw a boat from Corinth.
But before it arrived – ah, what a horror!…

DUKE:
– Continue the story, please.

AEGEUS:
— For before it arrived, our mast
it broke in two against a rock.
The half in which Emilia was trapped
gone quickly to the wind, and I still saw
the Corinthian boat to collect them.
Later another boat saved me
with one of the twins and the little servant.
I never saw Emília and the other two again…

DUKE:
– And what happened to you afterwards, Aegeus?

AEGEUS:
- My son, when he turned eighteen,
wanted to look for the mother and the twin brother,
and went on a journey with his servant.
I've been looking for them both for five years,
from the ends of Greece to Asia,
and finally on the way back I came to Ephesus.
Oh, if I only knew they were alive...

DUKE:
— Oh, unhappy Aegeus, I myself, now,
I would defend your cause
if I could oppose the law of Ephesus.
But I can not. I can only grant you
all this day to search
pay the fine. appeals to friends,
asks for alms or a loan and insists
to save your life! (to the jailer): – Jailer!
This man is in your care.
Always accompany him wherever he goes.

PRISON OFFICER:
- Yes, my Sir.

AEGEUS: - Farewell! Poor Aegean,
struggling a little more in your deal,
postpone the end of life for a day.

(Aegeus leaves with the jailer; the scene darkens.)

 

scene 2
In the market.
First merchant, Antipholus of Syracuse, Dromio of Syracuse; Dromio of Ephesus.

 

FIRST MERCHANT: - Do not say that you are from Syracuse, Antipholus, otherwise your goods will be confiscated. Just today a merchant from Syracuse has arrived, has been arrested and will be killed if he doesn't pay the fine by the end of the day. Take the money you entrusted to me.
(hands Antipholus a bag of coins)

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (hands the bag to Drômio of Syracuse):
– Drômio, leads to the inn of the “Centauro”
where we stay and wait for me,
because I'm going for a walk around town.
At sunset I arrive, have dinner and sleep,
for the journey left me exhausted.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE (the Antipholus of Syracuse): – Any other would take this money and disappear at once. (He leaves)

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE (speaks to the first merchant about Dromio):
– He is my servant. It's very playful
and always amuses me if I'm sad.
And thou? Don't you want to walk with me?
Then we had dinner together at “Centauro”.

FIRST MERCHANT: – Thank you, I have an appointment. I can be here again at five o'clock, and still enjoy the late afternoon. Until then, have fun! (He leaves)

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (to himself):
– Who wishes me a good time
want me what I can never have.
Always in search of mother and twin brother,
I'm a drop of water looking for
for another drop of water in the ocean. (see Dromio of Ephesus arrive)
Is my live schedule already arriving? (talk to him):
– How did you get back so quickly?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: — Have I returned quickly? I'm arriving and even late. The pork has already roasted, the chicken has fallen off the spit, the bell has already struck noon, and the mistress has already hit me. She boiled because the food is cold. The food is cold because you haven't come home yet, and you haven't come home because...

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
– Stop, Drômio, you lose your breath!
Did you keep the money I gave you?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: — That coin you gave me on Wednesday to pay the saddle-seller? I gave it to him and there was nothing left.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (already indignant):
- Look! I'm not in a good mood today.
You gave all the money to a saddler
in a land where we are foreigners?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: – Please, master, leave it to play when you sit down at the table, for the mistress told me to run after you, and if I come back alone I will run from the slap she will give me. I don't know how your stomach doesn't tell you it's time to eat.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (very angry):
- You make fun out of time.
Where is all the gold I gave you?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: – For me?! You didn't give me any gold!

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
– I ordered you to keep it in the “Centaur”!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: – The order I received was to look for you, that is.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
– And that gold, Drômio? And the thousand marks?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: - Marks I have enough, on my face, on my shoulders, which I received from you and the mistress, but marks, no.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
– Enough of the jokes, you scoundrel!
What are you talking about? Do you have a boss now?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS (patiently and slowly): – Your wife,… who lives in the Feeenix,… and who waits for you to have lunch… with her sister.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (astonished and angry):
– Wife, you stupid? Well, take it! (gives him a slap)

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: – Hey, hey, boss. What's that? Oh, I'm going to walk away!
(runs away)

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (with himself):
“That fool lost my money.
They say there are many crooks here
that deceive anyone. Poor boy…
I'm going to "Centauro" to see what happens. (leaves)

 

END OF THE FIRST ACT

 

SECOND ACT

Scene 1
House of Antipholus in Ephesus.
Adriana and Luciana; Dromio of Ephesus.

 

ADRIAN:
– Dromio and Antipholus have not yet arrived,
and it's already two o'clock, Luciana!

LUCIANA:
– Adriana, then let's have lunch.
Men come and go, they are always free.

ADRIAN:
– And why are they freer than we are?

LUCIANA:
– Is your business outside the home?

ADRIAN:
– When I send for him, he is offended.

LUCIANA:
– Your husband is your master and your bridle.

ADRIAN:
“Only donkeys are braked that much.

LUCIANA:
– Everything that exists has its brake, yes.
In the sky, in the sea, on the land, fish, birds,
beasts and men suffer such hindrances.
The female owes the male to obey.

ADRIAN:
- When you get married, I want to see.

LUCIANA:
- Well, I'm getting married, then I'll say.
I think your husband is coming!
It's Dromio! (Enter Dromio of Ephesus.)

ADRIANA: – So, did you catch your boss?

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: What a shame! He's the one who grabbed me by the ears. And he even gave me an order that I didn't even understand.

ADRIAN:
'But isn't he coming home?'

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: — Home? Ah, mistress, I think he's crazy in the head. He asked for the thousand marks in gold he swears he gave me and said he doesn't know about his mistress or house!

ADRIAN:
- Well, go get him again! come on!

DROMIO OF EPHESUS: — To be beaten again? Please send another one in my place!

ADRIAN:
- No! Go get your boss, otherwise...

DROMIO OF EPHESUS (exits, talking to himself): – Am I so round that they think I'm a ball? She rolls me there, he rolls me here, she rolls me there again. If I continue in this service, my skin will turn to leather.

ADRIAN:
- He treats so well who he sees on the street...
And I thirst for a happy look…
My heart for him always calls,
But if I say angry, he complains.
If he doesn't come, does he already have another one?

LUCIANA:
– Stop being jealous, Adriana.

ADRIAN:
-Oh, only if I were an insensitive fool.
He doesn't see beauty in me anymore.
And I'll die crying until the end...

 

scene 2
Public square.
Syracuse Antipholus; Dromio of Syracuse; Adriana and Luciana.

 

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (appears and talks to himself):
– The owner of the “Centaur” finally told me
that Drômio already kept the gold there
and came looking for me. Oh, it's coming! (Enter Dromio of Syracuse)
Then? Has your good mood changed?
If you like punching, keep going
saying that you don't know about the "Centaur",
nor did you receive the gold, and that the mistress
wait for me for lunch. were you crazy?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: — Did I say that? But I haven't seen you since I went to "Centaur"! Are you kidding, boss?

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (angry):
– Playing, me? Well then, take this one! (hit him)

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: – Stop, stop! I'm not understanding anything!

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (scolding):
- Just because I find what you say funny,
you play even when I'm serious,
and thus you abuse our friendship.
To play, see if I'm willing!
Or do I have to punch your cap?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: And does this still look like a cap? What I need is a helmet, otherwise I'll have to think with my shoulders soon. I just wanted to know why you hit me. Anyway, thanks. Because you hit me for free when I didn't make any fun.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, Dromio. Let's have lunch?

DROMIO: I don't think so, because if the meat is well beaten, you might want to beat me too.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
- Well, learn to play at the right time,
and nothing happens to you.

ADRIANA (calls from outside): – Antipholus!

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS: – Who calls me?

ADRIANA (enters with Luciana):
- You can look angry at me!
I've seen that another lady pleases you.
I am no longer Adriana, your wife,
the one whose voice you praised
like music? you forgot
everything you've ever felt, and betrayed me?
We are two drops of water together.
If one gets dirty it contaminates the other.
Keep, therefore, holy matrimony,
and I will be pure and you will be honored!

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (astonished):
- Is it me you're talking about?
I arrived in the city two hours ago.
I don't know anyone, I don't even know you.
I just wanted to understand what this story is.

LUCIANA:
– Oh, my brother-in-law, how you are changed…
Why do you talk like that to my sister?
Lunch is ready, and she sent
for Dromio to call you home.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
– Dromio?!

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: – Me?!

ADRIANA: – Yes. And what did you say?
That your owner filled you with slaps
and that he denied having a house and having a wife.

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (to Dromio):
- Have you been talking to this lady then?

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE: – Eeeuuu? I've never seen her fatter!

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS:
– Yet she calls us by names!

ADRIAN:
– Do not conspire with a servant! And don't accuse me
if after all it was you who betrayed me!

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (with himself):
"Did I marry her in a dream?"
Or am I now dreaming?

ADRIAN:
- You'll know about lunch, Drômio. Go!

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE (to himself): — What angu! This land is bewitched. Already, a goblin or a giant will appear. If I don't obey, I'll get hurt.

LUCIANA:
– Why do you mumble so much and not answer?
You're naughty, silly and very dumb.

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE (to Antipholus, aside): – Master, have I changed that much? Have I turned into a monkey and I don't know?

ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE (to Dromio, apart):
'She said you're a donkey, not a monkey.'

DROMIO OF SYRACUSE (to Antipholus, laughing): — So that's it. I turned donkey. Hope I can eat my grass, because I'm hungry.

ADRIAN:
- He arrives! I didn't come here to do
they both laugh at me. Lunch gets cold.
Antipholus, you will have to explain.
– Dromio, you will guard the door.
Do not forget! Take care of the door! (they are all leaving)

SYRACUSE ANTIPHOLUS (with himself):
– Am I in heaven, earth or hell?
Sleeping or awake? Crazy or wise?
I'll wait and see what happens.
I will venture into this madness.

 

END OF THE SECOND ACT

 

(to be continued)

 

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