The husband-wife relationship, however, seems to be portrayed a lot more negatively. Messenio is extremely loyal to his master and is ultimately rewarded for his brave actions. Plautus seems to portray the master-slave relationship in a positive way. When Messenio saves Menaechmus and says he will go fetch the purse with their money, Menaechmus is confused but does not hesitate to agree (). When Menaechmus II has been acting insane as a way to leave his current predicament ().
The characters are all very clever and use the unusual situation to their advantage in several different instances. The Trickery of the Characters Themselves When the father goes to fetch a doctor, Menaechmus II then leaves but at the same time Menaechmus shows up ().ģ. The fact that the twins show up wearing the exact same outfit The fact that Menaechmus II and Menaechmus don't cross paths for such a long time is the working of chance and the numerous times that the twins happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or the right place at the right time. Peniculus, angry at Menaechmus for eating without him, confuses Menaechmus II for Menaechmus and starts yelling at him ().
Erotius confuses Menaechmus II for Menaechmus and has him in for their feast (). Cylindrus confuses Menaechmus II for Menaechmus while he is in town buying groceries for the dinner he is supposed to prepare (). Mistaken identity is the central comedic aspect of the entire play and stems from the fact the Menaechmus and Menaechmus II (Sosicles) are identical twins.