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What are the themes in 'The Brothers Menaechmus' by Plautus?

The eponymous brothers are separated when they are seven years old; the play is a classic comedy involving mistaken identity. (Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors is but one of the plays that was greatly influenced by The Brothers Menaechmus).


One of the brothers grows up to be Menaechmus of Epidamnum and the other grows up to be Menaechmus of Sosicles. Epidamnum has a wife and a mistress and, when Sosicles sets out in search of his brother, he is mistaken for Epidamnun first by Epidamnun's mistress and then his parasite and, finally, his wife. The entire play revolves around this theme of mistaken identity and the confusion and hilarity that ensue from it. 


Another important theme is marriage and adultery — Epidamnun has both a somewhat shrewish wife and a somewhat demanding mistress. His wife is never even given a name (only referred to as matrona) and is, in the end, auctioned off for cash. His relationship with Erotium, although pleasurable, remains purely materialistic. Neither woman is portrayed in a very positive light, to say the least.

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