How many lines does Antipholus of Ephesus have in The Comedy of Errors?
The size of the part, every scene it speaks in, its longest speeches, and how long it takes to learn.
The Offbook team
Oct 8, 2026
Antipholus of Ephesus has about 218 lines in The Comedy of Errors: 1,744 words in 76 speeches, 12.2% of the play, and the 4th-largest part. The role speaks in 4 of the 11 scenes, and its longest wait is 2 scenes in a row without a line.
Antipholus of Ephesus does not appear until Act 3, Scene 1, when he is locked out of his own house, and he speaks in only four scenes. Each one is substantial, since he gets angrier with every mix-up. His longest speech comes in the final scene, a long complaint to the Duke about the day’s wrongs.
- Lines
- 218
- Words
- 1,744
- Share of play
- 12.2%
- Speech time
- 13 min
77% of the words are verse. 76 speeches means about 76 cues to learn.
Scene by scene
| Scene | Words | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Act 3, Scene 1 | 416 | 3.0 |
| Act 4, Scene 1 | 415 | 3.0 |
| Act 4, Scene 4 | 344 | 2.5 |
| Act 5, Scene 1 | 569 | 4.1 |
The longest speeches
| Speech | Scene | Words |
|---|---|---|
| “My liege, I am advised what I say,” | Act 5, Scene 1 | 310 |
| “You have prevail’d: I will depart in quiet,” | Act 3, Scene 1 | 123 |
| “Good Signior Angelo, you must excuse us all;” | Act 3, Scene 1 | 88 |
| “Fear me not, man; I will not break away:” | Act 4, Scene 4 | 78 |
| “I will debate this matter at more leisure” | Act 4, Scene 1 | 75 |
| “While I go to the goldsmith’s house, go thou” | Act 4, Scene 1 | 52 |
| “I am not furnish’d with the present money;” | Act 4, Scene 1 | 50 |
| “Justice, most gracious duke, O, grant me justice!” | Act 5, Scene 1 | 47 |
How many lines a day to learn
New lines a day to be off book in time, learning five days a week. Review what you already know on the other days.
| Time until off book | New lines a day |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 22 |
| 3 weeks | 15 |
| 4 weeks | 11 |
| 6 weeks | 8 |
More from The Comedy of Errors
- How many lines does Adriana have?
- How many lines does Antipholus of Syracuse have?
- How many lines does Dromio of Syracuse have?
- Every role in The Comedy of Errors, by size
Questions actors ask
How many lines does Antipholus of Ephesus have in The Comedy of Errors?
About 218 lines: 163 lines of verse and 403 words of prose. That is 1,744 words in 76 speeches, 12.2% of the play and the 4th-largest part.
How long is Antipholus of Ephesus’s longest speech?
310 words, in Act 5, Scene 1, beginning “My liege, I am advised what I say,” At 140 words a minute it runs about 2.2 minutes.
How long does it take to learn Antipholus of Ephesus?
To be off book in three weeks, learning five days a week, plan on about 15 new lines a day, plus time to review what you already know. Start with your longest speeches and the scenes with the most cues.
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