A boy in a white robe is singing during a wedding procession between Theseus, Duke of Athens, and Hippolyta, Amazon’s queen, when three queens enter. The first queen kneels before Theseus, the second before Hippolyta, and the third before Emilia, Hippolyta’s sister. The three queens seek revenge against King Creon of Thebes, who has killed their husbands but refuses to honor burial rites.
In Thebes, Arcite is pleading with Palamon to leave the city. Arcite and Palamon are cousins and best friends, and Creon is their uncle. The two cousins are fed up with Creon’s tyrannical ways.
When Palamon and Arcite are having a conversation about how to leave the city, Valerius enters and informs them about Theseus's invasion. As patriotic soldiers, Palamon and Arcite vow to defend Thebes. Therefore, they honor the summon of the king. Back in Athens, Hippolyta and Emilia wish Pirithous, Theseus's friend, farewell before joining other soldiers going to the war. Theseus wins the battle but is impressed by the gallantry of Palamon and Arcite. Thus, he orders his soldiers to go with them to Athens, where they are imprisoned.
Palamon and Arcite promise to keep their relationship alive no matter what comes between them. During this period, the jailer’s daughter falls in love with Palamon, disregarding the other man whom she is supposed to marry. Palamon and Arcite are having a conversation about maintaining their friendship forever when Emilia and another woman enter. The two cousins instantly fall in love with Emilia when they see her. An argument ensues between Palamon and Arcite about who is most deserving of Emilia. Soon after, both are released from jail.
The jailer’s daughter trails Palamon to the countryside but loses his tracks on the way. She is driven mad by her own devastation and unrequited love for Palamon. This disturbs her father, prompting him to seek a doctor’s help. The doctor opines that the daughter’s former wooer needs to masquerade himself as Palamon. The tactic works, and the jailer’s daughter is married to her former lover. Meanwhile, Arcite and Palamon have turned into bitter rivals.
The two cousins’ obsession with Emilia draws Theseus’s attention. Theseus sentences them to death, but Emilia urges him to pardon them. However, Emilia also arranges for a jousting competition where the winner will marry her, and the loser will be sentenced to death. Arcite wins the competition, but while celebrating, he falls off his horse and is badly injured. Before dying, Arcite seeks forgiveness from Palamon, and the two cousins reconcile. Arcite also advises Palamon to take Emilia and live happily ever after.
