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A trusty villain, sir, that very oft,
When I am dull with care and melancholy,
Lightens my humor with his merry jests. (1.2.19–21)
Antipholus of Syracuse addresses these lines to the First Merchant after sending his Dromio off to deliver their valuables to the guesthouse where they are planning to stay that night. His words nicely encapsulate the nature of his relationship with his bondsman. Although Antipholus has a tendency to slip into dark moods, Dromio’s comic disposition is always able to restore his good humor. This relationship contrasts with that between the Ephesian Antipholus and his Dromio, which is more consistently defined by the master’s ill humor.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE What’s her name?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Nell, sir, but her name and three quarters—that’s an ell and three quarters—will not measure her from hip to hip.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE Then she bears some breadth?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE No longer from head to foot than from hip to hip. She is spherical, like a globe. I could find out countries in her.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE In what part of her body stands Ireland?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Marry, sir, in her buttocks. I found it out by the bogs. (3.2.118–30)
These lines form the opening of an extended exchange in which the Antipholus of Syracuse and his Dromio joke about the kitchen maid at the house of the Ephesian Antipholus. Dromio is recalling how this very large woman horrified him by acting like he was betrothed to be her husband. Of course, she was confusing him with the Ephesian Dromio, but the Syracusan Dromio couldn’t have known this. In any case, he makes light of this situation by likening Nell’s body to a globe, such that each of her body parts can be associated with different parts of the world, starting with the British Isles. The joke involves making grotesque links between the body and characteristic features of different countries. Hence, her “buttocks” are likened to Irish bogs. This jovial exchange demonstrates how the relationship between the Syracusans is consistently characterized by humor.
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Master, shall I fetch your stuff from shipboard?
ANTIPHOLUS OF EPHESUS Dromio, what stuff of mine hast thou embarked?
DROMIO OF SYRACUSE Your goods that lay at host, sir, in the Centaur.
ANTIPHOLUS OF SYRACUSE He speaks to me.—I am your master, Dromio.
Come, go with us. We’ll look to that anon.
Embrace thy brother there. Rejoice with him. (5.1.421–426)
After the confusion of the day has been resolved and the play is just about to end, one last round of comic misidentifications threatens to break out. Dromio of Syracuse addresses Antipholus of Ephesus as his master, which leads to a moment of confusion between them. However, Antipholus of Syracuse quickly recognizes what’s happening and nips the potential confusion in the bud. In this way, Shakespeare briefly teases the audience with the possibility of more chaos, frustration, and violence, only to reverse course and allow good humor to triumph.
