Luciana's Monologue from Act 3, Scene 2 of The Comedy of Errors

In Act 3, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, Luciana delivers a monologue addressing Antipholus of Syracuse, whom she mistakenly believes to be her brother-in-law, Antipholus of Ephesus.

Synopsis:

Luciana confronts Antipholus (of Syracuse), chastising him for neglecting his marital duties to her sister, Adriana. She advises him to either treat Adriana with the kindness she deserves or, if he has affections elsewhere, to conceal his infidelity to maintain domestic harmony.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Prior to this monologue, Antipholus of Syracuse arrives in Ephesus and is mistaken for his twin brother, Antipholus of Ephesus. Adriana, unaware of the mistaken identity, brings him to her home, believing him to be her husband. Luciana seizes this moment to counsel whom she thinks is her brother-in-law on his perceived neglect and marital responsibilities.

Original Text:

And may it be that you have quite forgot
A husband's office? Shall, Antipholus,
Even in the spring of love thy love-springs rot?
Shall love, in building, grow so ruinous?
If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
Then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness.
Or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth;
Muffle your false love with some show of blindness.
Let not my sister read it in your eye;
Be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator;
Look sweet, speak fair, become disloyalty;
Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger;
Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted;
Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint;
Be secret-false: what need she be acquainted?
What simple thief brags of his own attaint?
'Tis double wrong, to truant with your bed
And let her read it in thy looks at board:
Shame hath a bastard fame, well managed;
Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word.
Alas, poor women! make us but believe,
Being compact of credit, that you love us;
Though others have the arm, show us the sleeve;
We in your motion turn and you may move us.
Then, gentle brother, get you in again;
Comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife:
'Tis holy sport to be a little vain,
When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife.

Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

Have you completely forgotten your duties as a husband? Antipholus, is your love already decaying in its early stages? Is your love falling apart as it's being built? If you married my sister for her money, then at least treat her kindly for that reason. Or if you're interested in someone else, do it discreetly; hide your unfaithfulness with some pretense. Don't let my sister see it in your eyes; don't let your tongue confess your own shame; look pleasant, speak nicely, even if you're disloyal; dress up vice as if it's a precursor to virtue; maintain a good appearance, even if your heart is corrupted; make sin behave like a holy saint; be secretly false: why does she need to know? What simple thief brags about his own crime? It's a double wrong to be unfaithful in your marriage and let her see it in your face at the table: shame can have a bad reputation if not managed well; bad deeds are worsened by evil words. Alas, poor women! Make us believe, being full of trust, that you love us; even if others have your embrace, show us the appearance; we respond to your actions and you can influence us. So, dear brother, go back inside; comfort my sister, cheer her, call her 'wife': it's a harmless game to be a little vain when sweet flattery conquers conflict.

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

  • Office: Duty or function.

  • Love-springs: Sources or beginnings of love.

  • Ruinous: Falling into ruin; decaying.

  • Stealth: Secretive action or behavior.

  • Muffle: Conceal or hide.

  • Orator: Speaker.

  • Harbinger: Forerunner; precursor.

  • Tainted: Corrupted or spoiled.

  • Attaint: Disgrace or dishonor.

  • Truant: Neglect or stray.

  • Board: Table, especially during meals.

  • Bastard fame: False reputation.

  • Compact of credit: Full of trust.

  • Motion: Behavior or actions.

  • Vain: Foolish or silly.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

  1. Questioning His Neglect: And may it be that you have quite forgot
    A husband's office? Shall, Antipholus,
    Even in the spring of love thy love-springs rot?
    Shall love, in building, grow so ruinous?

    Luciana begins by questioning whether Antipholus has forgotten his duties as a husband, expressing concern that his love is decaying prematurely.

  2. Conditional Advice: If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
    Then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness.
    Or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth;
    Muffle your false love with some show of blindness.

    She suggests that if he married Adriana for her money, he should at least treat her kindly for that reason. Alternatively, if his affections lie elsewhere, he should conceal his infidelity to spare Adriana's feelings.

  3. Counsel on Deception: Let not my sister read it in your eye;
    Be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator;
    Look sweet, speak fair, become disloyalty;
    Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger;
    Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted;
    Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint;
    Be secret-false: what need she be acquainted?
    What simple thief brags of his own attaint?

    Luciana advises him to hide any signs of infidelity, both in his expressions and speech, and to present a virtuous facade despite any inner corruption. She emphasizes the importance of secrecy in wrongdoing, noting that a wise thief doesn't confess his own crimes.

  4. Highlighting the Double Wrong: 'Tis double wrong, to truant with your bed
    And let her read it in thy looks at board:
    Shame hath a bastard fame, well managed;
    Ill deeds are doubled with an evil word.

    She points out that it's a greater wrong to be unfaithful and allow Adriana to perceive it, as misdeeds are compounded when they're evident.

  5. Plea for Deception: Alas, poor women! make us but believe,
    Being compact of credit, that you love us;
    Though others have the arm, show us the sleeve;
    We in your motion turn and you may move us.

    Luciana laments the plight of women, urging men to at least make them believe they're loved, even if their affections are elsewhere, as women are easily influenced by men's actions.

  6. Encouragement to Reconcile: Then, gentle brother, get you in again;
    Comfort my sister, cheer her, call her wife:
    'Tis holy sport to be a little vain,
    When the sweet breath of flattery conquers strife.

    She concludes by urging Antipholus to return to Adriana, comfort her, and use flattery to resolve their conflicts, suggesting that harmless vanity can mend strife.

Journey Keypoints:

  • Hook: Luciana questions Antipholus's neglect of his marital duties.

  • Turning Point: She advises him to either treat Adriana kindly or discreetly conceal any infidelity.

  • Climax: Luciana emphasizes the compounded wrong of visible unfaithfulness.

  • Resolution: She urges Antipholus to reconcile with Adriana using flattery to restore harmony.

Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role:

  • Judi Dench: Portrayed Adriana in a 1976 Royal Shakespeare Company production, interacting closely with the character of Luciana.

  • Zoë Wanamaker: Played Adriana in a 1983 Royal Shakespeare Company production, contributing to the dynamic between the sisters.

  • Lenny Henry: Featured as Antipholus of Syracuse in a 2011 National Theatre production, engaging with Luciana's character.

This monologue delves into themes of marital fidelity, deception, and the societal expectations placed upon women, offering rich material for performance and analysis.