The tale unfolds with Macilente, a disillusioned man disheartened by society's inequities, retreating to the tranquility of the countryside. There, his reverie under a tree is interrupted by a conversation between Sogliardo, a rich but naive young farmer, and Carlo Buffone, a sardonic cynic. Buffone, whom Sogliardo has chosen as his mentor in the art of gentlemanliness, instructs the eager but foolish Sogliardo with a mixture of derision and indifference, much to Macilente’s discomfort. As they part ways, Buffone informs Macilente of their destination: Puntarvolo’s home.

Avarice and Ambition

Remaining in his spot, Macilente overhears Sordido, a miserly farmer, as he consults his almanac, longing for rain to inflate the value of his stored grain. A farmhand interrupts with a note, an order mandating Sordido to take his grain to market. Dismissing the order, Sordido vows to conceal his surplus, revealing his deep-seated greed.

Welcome to Puntarvolo’s

In front of Puntarvolo’s residence, Buffone and Sogliardo engage with Sir Fastidious Brisk, a boastful courtier. They witness Puntarvolo's grand return from hunting, complete with a theatrical homecoming of his own creation. Puntarvolo, embodying the role of an eccentric old knight, inquires about himself and listens to lavish praises from his wife and her attendants. The scene is a colorful spectacle of courtship and chivalry. Meanwhile, Sordido’s son, Fungoso, admires Brisk's style and asks Sogliardo to procure money from his father under the guise of needing law books, but intends to spend it on fashionable attire. Reluctantly, Sordido complies, albeit grudgingly.

Puntarvolo's Wager

Announcing a bold wager, Puntarvolo bets five thousand pounds that he, his wife, and their dog can travel to Constantinople and back unscathed. Buffone sees comedic potential in this venture, while Brisk considers investing a hundred pounds. Fungoso, captivated by Brisk’s manners, is delighted to learn that his brother-in-law, Deliro, has business ties with Brisk.

Matters of the Heart

The next day, Macilente advises Deliro to moderate his excessive devotion to his wife, Fallace, which only fuels her discontent. Fungoso, in his new clothes, visits Deliro’s home and borrows money from Fallace to complete his ensemble. Yet, upon receiving the funds, he is disheartened to see Brisk arrive in a new suit, prompting him to request more money from his father. Meanwhile, Brisk boasts of imaginary court victories and plans to mortgage his land with Deliro. Fallace, disenchanted with her husband, admires Brisk and dreams of courtly sophistication.

Shifting Alliances

Buffone, with Puntarvolo in tow, seeks out retainers for the newly arrived Sogliardo. Puntarvolo, explaining his wife’s withdrawal from the Constantinople trip, amusingly announces that a cat will replace her. Brisk, in another move, offers to take Macilente to court if he dresses suitably, while Macilente aims to unearth Brisk’s true reputation at court. Fungoso, obsessed with fashion, scrutinizes Brisk’s attire. Sogliardo, eager for refinement, hires the boastful but unreliable Shift.

Desperation and Revelation

Good weather, contrary to Sordido’s desires, pushes him to despair and a failed suicide attempt, thwarted by neighboring farmers. This incident reveals to Sordido his own moral bankruptcy, prompting a vow to become a benevolent neighbor.

Fashion Faux Pas

Dressed freshly, Brisk and Macilente appear at court where Macilente observes the superficial interactions between Brisk and the court lady Saviolina. Amused, he watches Saviolina scold Brisk for his smoking habit. Meanwhile, Fallace, enamored with Brisk, ignores Deliro’s attempts to please her. When Macilente divulges Brisk's foolishness, Deliro decides to foreclose on Brisk, but is halted by Fallace’s intervention.

Missed Connections

Brisk is meant to meet at a notary’s to invest in Puntarvolo’s venture, but delays. Deliro, having second thoughts, decides against foreclosing and disavows Macilente for...