Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of violence and misogyny.

Antipholus of Ephesus is bringing two acquaintances to his house for dinner, Angelo the goldsmith and Balthasar, a merchant. Dromio of Ephesus accompanies them. Antipholus says that his wife gets irritable when he comes home late, so he asks Angelo to cover for him and tell her that they stayed late in his shop working on a chain necklace for her. He recounts that Dromio told him a fanciful story of meeting him at the market, and him requesting 1,000 marks in gold while denying his wife and home. He accuses Dromio of being drunk, but Dromio says that he has proof: the physical marks of Antipholus beating him in that encounter.

Antipholus promises Balthasar a hearty welcome in his home; they trade niceties as Balthasar thanks him. However, the door is locked. Antipholus bids Dromio call the servants to open it. Dromio of Syracuse is guarding the door from the inside, in line with Adriana’s instructions. Those on the outside can’t see in, and vice versa. Dromio of Syracuse insults Dromio of Ephesus and tells him to go away.