Antipholus of Syracuse is a traveling merchant searching for his long-lost twin brother and mother. His quest brings him to Ephesus, a city openly hostile to Syracusians. He feels incomplete without his missing family members and is willing to risk danger to find them. He remains somewhat open to the bizarre occurrences around him, though he quickly begins to suspect magic is at play when strangers know his name.

Antipholus of Ephesus is a wealthy and respected businessman who lives in Ephesus. He is completely unaware that his identical twin brother is currently wandering his city. He maintains a difficult marriage with Adriana and prioritizes his public reputation and commercial relationships. When bizarre events begin to upend his familiar life, he responds with intense frustration and violence.

Dromio of Syracuse is the quick-witted, loyal servant who travels alongside Antipholus of Syracuse. He produces much of the play's comedic wordplay and banter, often trading jokes with his master. Their friendly interactions are undercut by a rigid power dynamic, and Dromio frequently suffers physical beatings when confusion arises.

Dromio of Ephesus is the hardworking, frequently abused servant of Antipholus of Ephesus. Like his brother, he uses humor and wordplay to deal with his difficult circumstances. He dutifully runs errands for his master and his master's wife, Adriana, but finds himself constantly punished as he becomes caught in the chaos of mistaken identities.

Adriana is the wife of Antipholus of Ephesus. She feels deeply neglected by her husband and openly protests his behavior, believing he values his commercial life and public reputation more than her. She views marriage as an institution where spouses are fundamentally joined, making her highly sensitive to his perceived betrayals and infidelities.

Luciana is Adriana's unmarried sister. She holds traditional early modern views on gender roles, advising Adriana to submit to her husband's will without jealousy. She acts as a confidant to her sister but finds herself in an awkward position when a man she believes to be her brother-in-law makes romantic advances toward her.

Egeon is an aging Syracusian merchant who has spent five years searching the world for his lost family. He is arrested upon entering Ephesus due to a harsh trade war between the two cities. His lengthy explanation of his past establishes the foundational circumstances of the play, outlining how a shipwreck separated his wife and infant twin sons decades earlier.

Emilia operates an abbey in Ephesus, functioning as a religious authority figure in the city. She provides sanctuary to those fleeing danger and commands enough respect to deny entry to angry crowds. When presented with stories of erratic behavior, she asserts control by offering to cure the afflicted individuals using her own methods.

Angelo is a goldsmith working in the commercial center of Ephesus. His business dealings drive much of the local conflict, as he relies on a chain of debt to maintain his livelihood. He is a practical businessman who trusts his customers' reputations until financial misunderstandings threaten his own freedom.

The Courtesan is an Ephesian woman who associates with Antipholus of Ephesus. She operates within the city's transactional social framework, seeking to protect her material wealth. When she realizes a valuable ring might not be reimbursed, she takes practical steps to recover her losses by approaching his family.

Pinch is a local schoolmaster and quack doctor in Ephesus. He adopts the role of an exorcist, confidently diagnosing spiritual possession based on frantic, misunderstood behavior. His severe methods involve physical restraints and dark rooms.

Solinus is the ruling Duke of Ephesus. He enforces the city's strict commercial laws, which currently mandate death or a hefty ransom for any Syracusian caught within the borders. While he expresses personal sympathy for tragic circumstances, he strictly upholds his political duties and the law.

A local merchant who does business with Antipholus of Syracuse. He holds onto Antipholus's money for safekeeping and advises him to hide his Syracusian origins to avoid execution.

An Ephesian merchant who requires funds to set sail on an urgent journey. He enforces strict financial boundaries, resorting to the law to collect debts when necessary.

A merchant and acquaintance of Antipholus of Ephesus. He acts as a voice of reason, advising Antipholus to avoid creating a public scandal when he finds himself locked out of his own house.

A kitchen maid working in Adriana and Antipholus of Ephesus's household. She is romantically involved with Dromio of Ephesus, though her affections terrify his identical twin when she mistakes one for the other.

An agent of the law in Ephesus. He strictly follows the legal protocols surrounding debt, transferring custody and liability precisely according to the city's commercial statutes.