中文导读
《孪生兄弟》是普劳图斯最著名的喜剧之一，也是莎士比亚《错中错》（The Comedy of Errors）的直接来源。剧情围绕一对出生时就被分开的同卵双胞胎展开：两兄弟都叫墨奈克穆斯（Menaechmus），一个在西西里的叙拉古长大，一个在以庇丹纳（Epidamnus）长大。当叙拉古的墨奈克穆斯来到以庇丹纳寻找失散的兄弟时，他被所有人都误认为是当地的墨奈克穆斯——他的妻子、他的情妇、他的仆人、他的债主——引发了一连串令人捧腹的误会。
普劳图斯的喜剧以闹剧和语言游戏著称，但《孪生兄弟》在闹剧之外还写出了一个深刻的主题：身份是什么？如果一个人被所有人当作另一个人来对待，他是否还能保持自己的身份？双胞胎的物理相似性使得所有社会关系（婚姻、友谊、商业）都变得不可靠——你无法确定和你说话的人就是你以为的那个人。
本文据公版英译全文收录。
Menaechmi
Prologue
A merchant of Syracuse had twin sons, so alike
that even their mother could not tell them apart.
When they were seven years old, the father took one of them—
Menaechmus—to the fair at Tarentum, where the boy was stolen
by a merchant and carried off to Epidamnus. The father died
of grief, and the grandfather named the remaining twin
also Menaechmus, in memory of his lost brother.
Years passed. Menaechmus of Syracuse, now grown to manhood,
set out to search for his lost brother, accompanied by his slave
Messenchio. He has traveled through many lands,
and now he has come to Epidamnus—where, unknown to him,
his brother lives.
Act I
Menaechmus of Epidamnus has a problem: his wife is a shrew,
and he is in love with a courtesan named Erotium.
He has stolen his wife's dress—a beautiful mantle—
and given it to Erotium as a gift.
MENAECHMUS (of Epidamnus): My wife watches me
like a hawk. I cannot move without her knowing.
But I have managed to steal her mantle—and I shall give it
to my dear Erotium. My wife thinks she has lost it;
I told her it must have been misplaced. She is searching
the whole house for it. Meanwhile, I am free—at least for today.
Act II
Menaechmus of Syracuse arrives in Epidamnus with his slave.
He does not know that his twin brother lives here.
MENAECHMUS (of Syracuse): Messenchio, we have been searching
for years, and still no sign of my brother. But I will not give up.
We will search this city, and then the next, and the next—
until we find him.
MESSENCHIO: Master, we have been everywhere. Perhaps
your brother is dead. Let us go home.
MENAECHMUS (of Syracuse): Not yet. I have a feeling
that we are close.
As they walk through the streets, the wife of the Epidamnus
Menaechmus sees the Syracuse Menaechmus and mistakes him
for her husband.
WIFE: There you are! I have been looking for you everywhere.
Have you found my mantle?
MENAECHMUS (of Syracuse): Madam, you have mistaken me
for someone else. I do not know you.
WIFE: Do not play the fool with me! I am your wife!
Give me back my mantle!
MENAECHMUS (of Syracuse): Your wife? I assure you,
madam, I am not married. You must have confused me
with another man.
Act III
Erotium sees the Syracuse Menaechmus and also mistakes him
for her lover. She invites him in and gives him the mantle—which
the Epidamnus Menaechmus had given her. The Syracuse Menaechmus
is bewildered but delighted by this unexpected hospitality.
EROTIUM: Come in, my dear! I have prepared a feast for you.
And here is the mantle you gave me—I have had it cleaned
and mended. Take it back, lest your wife find it.
MENAECHMUS (of Syracuse): Who is this charming woman?
She seems to know me, though I have never seen her before.
She gives me food, wine, and a beautiful mantle.
If this is what it is like to be mistaken for someone else,
I recommend it!
Act IV
The Epidamnus Menaechmus returns to Erotium's house
and discovers that his brother has been there. He is furious.
MENAECHMUS (of Epidamnus): What? Another Menaechmus?
Here? In my city? With my mistress? This is intolerable!
Act V
The two Menaechmi finally meet. At first, each thinks
the other is mad or playing a trick. But when they compare
their stories—the stolen child, the search, the years of wandering—
they realize the truth: they are twins, separated at birth.
They embrace, and the play ends with their joyful reunion.
MENAECHMUS (of Syracuse): My brother! At last I have found you!
MENAECHMUS (of Epidamnus): And I never knew I had a brother!
Let us never be separated again!