Which of Plautus' works influenced Shakespeare’s "A Comedy of Errors"?

The work of Plautus that influenced Shakespeare’s "A Comedy of Errors" is "Menaechmi." This ancient Roman play tells the story of two twin brothers who are separated at birth, leading to a series of misunderstandings and mistaken identities when one brother travels to the city where the other lives. This theme of mistaken identity is central to "A Comedy of Errors," where the plot similarly revolves around two sets of twins—Antipholus and Dromio—who are also mistaken for one another, resulting in comedic situations.

The influence of "Menaechmi" is clearly evident in Shakespeare's use of humor derived from confusion, miscommunication, and the antics that ensue from the characters' inability to recognize each other. The essence of both plays revolves around the chaos that arises when the characters navigate their lives amidst these humorous misunderstandings, showcasing the timeless appeal of mistaken identity in comedic literature.

The other works by Plautus, though valuable in their own right, do not match the thematic focus on twin identities and the resultant comedic misunderstandings found in "Menaechmi" and subsequently in Shakespeare's adaptation. For instance, "Mostellaria" deals more with themes of deception and trickery without specifically focusing on twin characters