Prologue
The play starts with both a prologue and an alternative prologue. The initial prologue is titled ‘‘Eclogue,’’ a term for a brief poem usually centered on pastoral themes, depicting the serene life of shepherds. This eclogue features several deities from classical mythology, including Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers, and Pan, the Greek god of shepherds and fertility. The introduction extols Louis XIV and mentions that the comedy-ballet was ‘‘created for his relaxation.’’ It goes on to laud the king’s military achievements through a rustic song and dance, until Pan appears and declares that the best way to serve Louis is by entertaining and delighting him. The alternative, much shorter prologue is a monologue where a shepherdess laments that foolish doctors cannot mend the sorrows of her heart.

Act 1
Act 1 begins with Argan tallying his numerous medical bills and summoning the maid, Toinette, who shows her impatience with Argan before fetching his daughter, Angélique. Argan, a hypochondriac, then heads to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Angélique seeks Toinette’s advice about Cléante, the young man she recently fell for, who has promised to ask for her hand in marriage. Upon Argan’s return, Angélique is thrilled to hear him speak of a marriage he has arranged for her, until she learns she is not betrothed to Cléante but to Thomas Diafoirus, a soon-to-be medical school graduate. Toinette argues with Argan, but he threatens to send his daughter to a convent unless she marries Thomas, and he chases Toinette with a stick.

Argan’s second wife, Béline, enters and comforts him, and Argan calls for a notary to discuss his will, as he wishes to leave all his money to his wife. Toinette warns Angélique that her stepmother is plotting against her, but Angélique is only worried that her father might not allow her to marry the man she loves. Toinette promises to inform Cléante about the arranged marriage through Punchinello, an old moneylender. The scene then shifts to the ‘‘First Interlude,’’ where Punchinello serenades his lover, only to be interrupted by an old woman, a chorus of violins, and a group of archers, whom he bribes to avoid arrest.

Act 2
Cléante enters in disguise as a friend of Angélique’s music teacher, and Toinette ushers him in to meet Argan and Angélique. Monsieur Diafoirus then arrives with his son Thomas, who embarrasses himself with overly elaborate introductions. Argan requests some music, prompting Cléante to narrate a story about a shepherd suffering because his lover’s father is arranging her marriage to another man, clearly reflecting his own situation. Cléante and Angélique then improvise a pastoral love song together. Argan interrupts them, and Béline enters. Angélique cleverly avoids promising her hand to Thomas, leading Argan to threaten that she will be sent to a convent if she does not agree to the marriage within four days.

Thomas and his father depart after giving Argan absurd medical advice. Béline then informs her husband that she caught Cléante in Angélique’s room. Argan interrogates his younger daughter Louison, who eventually confesses that Cléante entered and kissed Angélique’s hands. Argan’s brother Béralde arrives with news of a marriage proposal for Angélique. Béralde brings a troupe of gypsies who, in the "Second Interlude," sing about young love and perform a ballet.

Act 3
Béralde and Toinette plot to prevent Angélique’s marriage to Thomas. Béralde tries to convince Argan that his illnesses are imaginary and that doctors are charlatans. Monsieur Fleurant enters to administer an injection to Argan, but when Béralde objects, Fleurant complains to his superior—Thomas’s uncle, Monsieur Purgon. Monsieur Purgon arrives in a rage and declares he will...