Roland Barthes 'The Comedy Of Errors'

All works of literature are meant to raise questions.“ Questions such as, “Have you ever felt like you don't belong somewhere?” “How strong is the power of love?” “How can family bonds be broken?” “Can alienation and a lack of home have a dramatic effect on the subject?” However, according to the critic Roland Barthes “Literature is the question minus the answer.”

The play The Comedy Of Errors by William Shakespeare raises the question, “what types of conflict do people face when attempting to reunite with their family?” to convey that people will sacrifice their well being and happiness in search of a sense of belonging and a stable family structure.

The play opens with the recountment of the tragic separation of Egeon’s family. On their

Antipholus states, “Farewell till then. I will go lose myself, /And wander up and down to view the city.” (Shakespeare 98) This quote foreshadows what is to come, Antipholus will lose his identity once he enters Ephesus, the home of his brother. Furthermore, Antipholus of Syracuse also states, “ He that commends me to mine own content /Commends me to the thing I cannot get. /I to the world am like a drop of water, /That in the ocean seek another drop...So I, to find a mother and a brother, /In quest of them unhappy, lose myself.” (Shakespeare 99) This quote demonstrates that although Antipholus of Syracuse is unsure of his identity, he is willing to sacrifice his identity in order to search for his mother and brother. Additionally, Antipholus of Syracuse believes that once he finds his mother and brother, he will be able to find his

For instance, in the text it states, “What I should think I cannot tell. /But this I think: there’s no man is so vain /That would refuse so fair an offered chain. /I see a man here needs not live by shifts, /When in the streets he meets such golden gifts.” (Shakespeare 137) Here, the goldsmith believes that Antipholus of Syracuse is Antipholus of Ephesus and so he gives the wrong Antipholus the gold chain meant for Adriana. Confused and surprised, Antipholus of Syracuse accepts the chain and attempts to pay the goldsmith. The exchange of the chain to the wrong twin causes conflict between the characters.

Similarly, Egeon also goes in search of his family. Despite the many adversities Egeon has faced he does not give up. Instead, Egeon continuous to look for his family. In the text he states, “But here must end the story of my life, /And happy were I in my timely death /Could all my travels warrant me they live.“ (Shakespeare 95) Egeon has arrived in Ephesus after long travels of trying to find his family. However, he is arrested upon his arrival and sentenced to death because he is a Syracusan. In this quote Egeon proclaims that he would sacrifice his life for his family’s happiness and well