The Brothers Menaechmus Study Guide: Summary

Twin sons with the names Sosicles and Menaechmus belong to a Sicilian merchant. He takes
Menaechmus on a business trip to Epidamnus one day when his sons are seven years old.
Menaechmus is then cut off from his father and left to wander the city alone. He is discovered, taken
in, and raised in Epidamnus by another wealthy businessman. Shortly after arriving back in Syracuse,
the twins' father, who was devastated by the loss of one of his sons, passed away. The name of the
remaining twin is changed to Menaechmus in memory of the absent sibling.

Menaechmus I, the brother who was lost in Epidamnus, and Menaechmus II, the Syracuse brother
whose name was altered, will now be referred to by Plautus, lead comfortable lives. Although he
loathes his whiny wife, he enjoys visiting his neighbor and prostitute Erotium. He boasts to Erotium
at the start of the play about the dress he took from his wife and gave to her. She will cook supper
for him as well as Brush/Peniculus, a smarmy parasite that depends on Menaechmus I for healthy
meals.

Arriving in Epidamnus are Menaechmus II and his slave Messenio. They have been searching for
Menaechmus II's brother for six years as they journey. Messenio doubts that the sibling is still alive
and believes that he must be dead, but Menaechmus II is adamant that he will not accept this unless
there is proof. He is forewarned by Messenio that this town is full of harlots and con artists.

The majority of the piece is made up of many instances of mistaken identity. When Menaechmus II is
consistently mistaken for someone he is not by the Wife, the Father, the Doctor, Erotium, and Brush,
it appears that he does not consider the possibility that his twin may genuinely reside here. For his
part, Menaechmus I experiences the pandemonium brought on by talks that he does not recall
having with his brother when they were really had.

When Messenio and the brothers are all there at once, Messenio draws attention to the similarities
and probes Menaechmus I to reveal his true identity. The brothers embrace and agree to live
together in Syracuse. Menaechmus I, whose life he saved when Father tried to commit him to the
doctor's care for his "madness," and Menaechmus II, who is happy with Messenio's confirmation of
Menaechmus I's identity, are how Messenio gains his freedom.