Audiences of Shakespeare’s play The Comedy of Errors are quickly thrown into the city of Ephesus and immediately introduced to an unknown man who, the audience is informed, has disobeyed a strict law in Ephesus and will soon face the punishment of execution. Considering the old man’s predicament, who’s name is Egeon, there is a noticeable ominous tone located at the beginning of the play, and Egeon’s despair is the main emotion displayed throughout the first act of the play. That being said, the despairing nature of Egeon’s possible death is quickly forgotten as the play carries on and moves its attention towards a young and energetic man, Atiphilous of Syracuse. Both Egeon’s hopelessness and Antipholous’ youthful and optimistic attitude are relevant to the future plot of the play, but Egeon’s narrative is especially important as his introductory speeches provide numerous overt, and not so overt, indications of the events that are …show more content…
The play could present itself without these two characters, but the use of the frame narrative provides audiences with a more complex way of viewing the play, and brings various dynamics to each of the characters. The comparisons between Egeon and Emilia to every other character in the play creates a multitude of perceptions and interpretations that would not be obvious if the frame narrative was not provided. Through the emphasis on wealth, communication, and the sanctity of marriage, Egeon and Emilia’s storyline allows prosperity in the plot and brings forth fresh dynamics of marriage and relationships between