Content Warning: This section of the guide includes mentions of death and violence (as a source of comedy).

Egeon, a merchant from Syracuse, is sentenced to death for being found in Ephesus, as Ephesus and Syracuse are enemies. The Duke of Ephesus, Solinus, explains that Syracuse has put to death several Ephesian merchants, so Ephesus has passed laws decreeing that any Syracusian found in Ephesus will be killed unless they pay a ransom of 1,000 marks. Egeon is resigned to his fate, declaring that at least his death will bring an end to his woes. This intrigues Solinus, who asks him to tell his story.

Egeon says that many years ago, he and his wife lived happily in Syracuse. He made good money trading with Epidamnum via shipping routes. However, when an important business partner died, he had to spend some time in Epidamnum. His wife came with him, though she was pregnant. In Epidamnum she gave birth to identical twin sons. The same night, another woman gave birth to identical twin sons in the same inn. This other woman was so poor that she was unable to provide for her children, so Egeon bought her twins to raise as servants to his own sons.