Comedy of Errors Summary Act III
When the real Antipholus of Ephesus arrives, he is denied entry by Dromio who knows his master and Adriana to be inside. He locks the Ephesian out of his home.
An enraged Antipholus of Ephesus plans to punish Adriana by giving away the gift of a gold chain that he bought for her to a courtesan instead. Meanwhile Luciana tries to convince Antipholus to shower his wife with love and affection in return for his bad behavior but he falls in love with her and begins to woo her instead.
Dromio is also confused at the cook of the household claiming him as her husband. In a mix of hyperbole and metaphor he describes
“Marry, sir, she’s the kitchen-wench, and all grease; and I know not what use to put her to but to make a lamp of her and run from her by her own light. I warrant her rags and the tallow in them will burn a Poland winter; if she lives till doomsday, she’ll burn a week longer than the whole world” (act iii, sc ii 88)
Antipholus and Dromio of Syracuse feel they are victims of sorcery and they plan on leaving Ephesus immediately. A goldsmith then arrives delivering a gold chain to Antipholus of Syracuse saying he had ordered it. Antipholus is well and thoroughly confused.