14 Facts About Menaechmi

Menaechmi is a comedy about mistaken identity, involving a set of twins, Menaechmus of Epidamnus and Menaechmus of Syracuse.

Menaechmi arrives in Epidamnus, unaware that his twin brother is there.

Menaechmi is seen leaving his house, berating his spouse as a shrew and a harpy, promising that she shall have good cause for her jealousy.

Menaechmi suggests that a fitting return would include a dinner for himself and Peniculus.

Menaechmi's master gives his purse for safekeeping to the slave who continues his warning against the cunning people of Epidamnus "who think nothing of accosting a stranger" and bilking him of his money, when Erotium steps out of her house and endearingly accosts the Syracuse Menaechmus, thinking him to be his brother.

Menaechmi asks why he hesitates to enter when dinner is ready, and the confused twin asks her, quite formally, what business he has with her.

Menaechmi sends Messenio to the inn, giving him orders to return for his master at sunset.

Menaechmi is chuckling over his luck—dinner, kisses and an expensive mantle—all for nothing, when the irate Peniculus, who has lost the Epidamnus twin in the Forum crowd, meets him and berates him for dining before he could arrive.

Menaechmi tells him to return the mantle or stay out of her house, and the husband goes to Erotium to get it, resolving to buy his sweetheart a better one.

Menaechmi is stupefied when she declares him a liar and a cheat, and tells him that she has already given him both the mantle and her bracelet.

Menaechmi asks her of what he should be ashamed—and, furthermore, why she should address a total stranger so.

Menaechmi adds that he didn't steal her mantle, that a lady gave it to him.

Menaechmi's anger convinces the doctor of his insanity, and he summons slaves to bind him and take him to an asylum.

Menaechmi's master upbraids him for having been gone so long, but the slave protests that he has just saved his owner from ruffians and has been set free.