Plot Summary

Act I

Scene 1

• Florinda, a young noblewoman, plans to escape an arranged marriage to Don Antonio, preferring the English colonel Belvile.
• Her sister Hellena, destined for a convent, decides to explore life and love during the Carnival.
• Belvile, with his friends Willmore, Frederick, and Blunt, arrives in Naples.

Scene 2

• Hellena disguises herself to join the festivities and meets Willmore.
• Willmore is immediately attracted to her, and they flirt.
• Florinda arranges a meeting with Belvile through a note.

Act II

Scene 1

• Angelica Bianca, a famous courtesan, displays her portrait for potential clients.
• Don Pedro and Don Antonio compete for her favour.
• Willmore steals the portrait and charms Angelica, who falls for him.

Scene 2

• Florinda waits for Belvile but encounters Blunt, who attempts to court her.
• Belvile arrives, and he and Florinda plan to elope.
• Willmore interrupts, confusing, but eventually, Florinda and Belvile escape.

Act III

Scene 1

• Willmore's affair with Angelica continues, but he is also interested in Hellena.
• Hellena disguises herself as a gypsy to test Willmore's fidelity.
• Willmore declares his love for Hellena, despite his involvement with Angelica.

Scene 2

• Florinda seeks refuge from Don Antonio's pursuit and ends up in Blunt's room.
• Blunt, feeling humiliated from a previous trick by a different woman, mistakes Florinda for a prostitute and tries to assault her.
• She escapes with the help of Frederick.

Act IV

Scene 1

• Blunt, enraged by his earlier humiliation, plans revenge on all women.
• Willmore fights a duel with Don Antonio, wounding him.
• Florinda hides from her pursuers in a garden where Belvile finds her.

Scene 2

• Belvile, thinking Florinda has been compromised, offers to marry her to save her honour.
• Don Pedro interrupts, and mistaken identities lead to confusion.
• Florinda's true identity is revealed, and Belvile's honour is restored.

Act V

Scene 1

• Willmore is confronted by Angelica, who threatens to kill him for his betrayal.
• Hellena intervenes, revealing her true identity and intentions.
• Willmore persuades Hellena to marry him, renouncing his roguish ways.

Scene 2

• The play concludes with multiple reconciliations and promises of marriage.
• Florinda and Belvile, Hellena and Willmore, and Valeria and Frederick celebrate their unions.
• Blunt is left humiliated, swearing off love.
• The play ends with a festive spirit, underscoring the themes of love, disguise, and the pursuit of happiness amidst the revelry of the Carnival.