The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.1079  Monday, 28 June 1999.

From:           Roger Schmeeckle <
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Date:           Saturday, 26 Jun 1999 10:08:17 -0700 (PDT)
Subject:        Time in Comedy of Errors

> I'm currently directing a production of "Comedy of Errors," and I'm
> curious about how list members interpret the incident in IV. ii., in  l.
> 55 - 65, when Dromio of Syracuse hears a clock strike on o'clock and
> comments, "It was two ere I left him {Antipholus}, and now the clock
> strikes one."  The dialogue between Dromio and Adriana goes on to
> suggest, although Adriana doesn't buy it, that time has actually
> reversed itself by one hour.  I can see two possible interpretations:
> why?  Thanks for any input you can give me about this, and about any
> questions I may raise in the next couple of weeks.

Among the interpretations, do not forget to consider the following:

     1) There was just a change to daylight saving time.

     2) There was an eleven hour lapse.

     3) This is the first literary reference to time travel.

And don't forget that this is a Comedy of Errors.

     Roger Schmeeckle