The Busie Body concludes with these words from Sir Jealous Traffick, which encapsulate the central theme of the play:

By my Example let all Parents move,
And never strive to cross their Children's Love;
But still submit that Care to Providence above.

Sir Jealous has been trying to compel his daughter, Isabinda, to marry Seignior Diego Babinetto, the husband he has selected for her. The man she really loves, Charles Gripe, disguises himself as Babinetto, and the marriage goes ahead, with Sir Jealous's oblivious paternal consent.

Meanwhile, Charles's father, Sir Francis Gripe, has been scheming to marry his young ward, Miranda. She manages to trick him into thinking she is willing to go through with the wedding so that he will give her an open permission to marry, which she then uses to marry the man she loves, Sir George Airey.

Even from this very brief summary, it is clear that the principal themes of The Busie Body are marriage and, as Sir Jealous's final lines express, the interference of parents and guardians, or perhaps the older generation in general, in the love affairs of the young. The play shows the manipulative conduct on the part of the old consistently coming to grief, generally because the young are quicker witted and more expert in dissimulation. Interference of all kinds, including that of Marplot, the well-intentioned but inept busybody of the title, is shown to be powerless to divert the course of true love.

The Busie Body, written in 1709 by Susanna Centlivre, an English poet, actress, and playwright, is a comedic play performed in five acts. The Busie Body originally ran for thirteen nights, which was a huge success for the time, and was then performed again the following year. The play is considered to be both clever and comedic in its interpretation of love and marriage.

As it goes, Miranda, one of the lead characters, pretends to be in love with Sir Francis, who really does love Miranda, but is secretly in love with Sir George, who is also in love with Miranda.

Isabinda, another important lead, is in love with Charles, who loves Isabinda in return, but is promised to a wealthy Spanish merchant.

Marplot, the comedic character, is a good friend to Miranda and Isabinda. He attempts to assist them, but is often the reason for their unsuccessful plots, hence the name "Marplot"--he mars their plots.

The play essentially follows Miranda as she attempts to end up with Sir George and Isabinda as she attempts to end up with Charles, all while Marplot foils their plans and makes a mess of everything.