How many lines does Dromio of Syracuse 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
Dromio of Syracuse has about 255 lines in The Comedy of Errors: 2,071 words in 99 speeches, 14.4% of the play, and the third-largest part. The role speaks in 9 of the 11 scenes.
Dromio of Syracuse is almost exactly as large as the two leading parts and speaks in nine of the play’s eleven scenes. It is mostly quick prose patter, built for comic timing with his master. His set piece is in Act 3, Scene 2, describing the kitchen maid who claims him as her husband and mapping countries on her body.
- Lines
- 255
- Words
- 2,071
- Share of play
- 14.4%
- Speech time
- 15 min
32% of the words are verse. 99 speeches means about 99 cues to learn.
Scene by scene
| Scene | Words | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Act 1, Scene 2 | 17 | 0.1 |
| Act 2, Scene 2 | 510 | 3.6 |
| Act 3, Scene 1 | 143 | 1.0 |
| Act 3, Scene 2 | 502 | 3.6 |
| Act 4, Scene 1 | 130 | 0.9 |
| Act 4, Scene 2 | 250 | 1.8 |
| Act 4, Scene 3 | 359 | 2.6 |
| Act 4, Scene 4 | 64 | 0.5 |
| Act 5, Scene 1 | 96 | 0.7 |
The longest speeches
| Speech | Scene | Words |
|---|---|---|
| “Oh, sir, I did not look so low. To conclude, this …” | Act 3, Scene 2 | 95 |
| “No, he’s in Tartar limbo, worse than hell.” | Act 4, Scene 2 | 76 |
| “Nay, she is worse, she is the devil’s dam; and her…” | Act 4, Scene 3 | 71 |
| “Master, there’s a bark of Epidamnum” | Act 4, Scene 1 | 63 |
| “Marry, sir, she’s the kitchen wench and all grease…” | Act 3, Scene 2 | 62 |
| “No? why, ’tis a plain case: he that went, like a b…” | Act 4, Scene 3 | 62 |
| “Time is a very bankrupt and owes more than he’s wo…” | Act 4, Scene 2 | 58 |
| “Faith, stay here this night; they will surely do u…” | Act 4, Scene 4 | 54 |
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 | 26 |
| 3 weeks | 17 |
| 4 weeks | 13 |
| 6 weeks | 9 |
More from The Comedy of Errors
- How many lines does Adriana have?
- How many lines does Antipholus of Syracuse have?
- How many lines does Antipholus of Ephesus have?
- Every role in The Comedy of Errors, by size
Questions actors ask
How many lines does Dromio of Syracuse have in The Comedy of Errors?
About 255 lines: 72 lines of verse and 1,405 words of prose. That is 2,071 words in 99 speeches, 14.4% of the play and the third-largest part.
How long is Dromio of Syracuse’s longest speech?
95 words, in Act 3, Scene 2, beginning “Oh, sir, I did not look so low. To conclude, this drudge, or diviner, laid claim to me; called me Dromio; swore I was assured to her; told me what privy marks I had about me, as, the mark of my shoulder, the mole in my neck, the great wart on my left arm, that I amazed ran from her as a witch: And, I think, if my breast had not been made of faith and my heart of steel, she had transform’d me to a curtal dog and made me turn i’ the wheel.” At 140 words a minute it runs about 41 seconds.
How long does it take to learn Dromio of Syracuse?
To be off book in three weeks, learning five days a week, plan on about 17 new lines a day, plus time to review what you already know. Start with your longest speeches and the scenes with the most cues.
Keep reading
- The Comedy of Errors: every role by lines, words, and stage timeWilliam Shakespeare. Line counts, scenes, and the longest speeches.
- How many lines does Antipholus of Syracuse have in The Comedy of Errors?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.
- How many lines does Tranio have in The Taming of the Shrew?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.
- How many lines does Touchstone have in As You Like It?Lines, words, scenes, the longest speeches, and a plan to learn the part.