Da Plauto al finale di The Comedy of Errors: “Who deciphers them?” (V, 1, 334)

This essay examines the final scenes of Plautus’ Menaechmi and Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors and tries to identify the patterns of solving the misunderstandings in both comedies. In particular, the analysis focuses on the strategies that are always associated with the theme of the double. The first part of the fifth act is filled by further confusion of identity, many analepses and several recognitions: Shakespeare draws on themes, motives, expressions not only from Menaechmi, but also from Amphitruo, and not only from the ending, but also from other scenes of the latin models. Through the identification of a common syntax of errors and confusion, it is possible to appreciate both Plautus’ influence and Shakespeare’s original appropriation of it.