In their fathers' absence Octav and Leandre - the young sons of Argante and Geronte - have fallen in love with Hyacinte and Zerbinette. Upon their return, the young men's fathers learn of their sons' new lovers and are furious as they have other marriage plans for their children. Argante hopes to wed Octav to Geronte's young daughter, and Leandre, Geronte's son, is not planned to be married at all. The young lovers are left in despair as they believe that they will surely lose one another. To save their hopeless situation, they recruit Scapin, Geronte's valet.

Scapin, with his charm, intelligence and arrogance uses deception and cunning to manipulate the fathers. With the help of Scapin and Silvestre - Octave's valet, love and destiny prevail. The drama ends with the classic "And they lived happily ever after."