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Overview
One of William Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors, was first performed in December 1594
. In contrast to his later comedies, it emphasizes slapstick over verbal humor. The play draws from many sources and influences. Its broad outline is taken from an ancient Roman comedy, its general tone is from Italian comedy of Shakespeare’s period, and the shrewish wife (Adriana) is a characteristic figure in English comedy. The Comedy of Errors has always been popular with audiences, if somewhat less so with critics.Read the full play summary, the full play analysis, and a list of character descriptions from The Comedy of Errors.
