The Brothers Menaechmus

While Cylindrus goes off to buy supplies, Menaechmus II and his slave, Messenio, enter the stage from the harbor. Both are relieved to be on dry land, but Messenio is fed up with what he sees as their wild goose chase to find the lost, and potentially dead, Menaechmus. He is also wary of Epidamnus itself, advising his master that it is populated by “libertines,” “bamboozlers,” “flatterers,” and “wanton women” (259-61). Duly warned, Menaechmus takes his money from Messenio, worrying that his slave will be the first to succumb to the lure of “Epidamnation” (267).

Cylindrus then re-enters and the inevitable confusion begins. Mistaking Menaechmus II for his twin, Cylindrus asks where Peniculus has gone to, while Menaechmus II expresses astonishment at being addressed by a total stranger. Both men think that the other one is losing their wits, although Cylindrus suspects that the supposed Menaechmus might be playing a trick on him and invites Menaechmus II into the feast before going inside.

Menaechmus II, however, thinks that he is being lured into a trap, and when Erotium comes out and invites him to “come and dine” (367), he thinks she must be after his money.