 The play takes place in London. Morose, a wealthy old man with an obsessive hatred of noise, has made plans to disinherit his nephew Dauphine by marrying. His bride Epic ne is, he thinks, an exceptionally quiet woman; he does not know that Dauphine has arranged the whole match for purposes of his own.
The couple are married despite the well-meaning interference of Dauphine's friend True-wit. Morose soon regrets his wedding day, as his house is invaded by a charivari that comprises Dauphine, True-wit, and Clerimont; a bear warden named Otter and his wife; two stupid knights, La Foole and Daw; and an assortment of "collegiates," vain and scheming women with intellectual pretensions. Worst for Morose, Epic ne quickly reveals herself as a loud, nagging mate.
Desperate for a divorce, Morose consults two lawyers (actually Dauphine's men in disguise), but they can find no grounds for ending the match. Finally, Dauphine promises to reveal grounds to end the marriage (Morose must come to financial terms with him). The agreement made, Dauphine strips the female costume from Epic ne, revealing that the wife is, in fact, a boy. Morose is dismissed harshly, and the other ludicrous characters are discomfited by this revelation; Daw and Foole, for instance, had claimed to have slept with Epic ne.
What do the lawyers say is the reason Morose can get divorced? Who is True-wit's friend? Who is Morose disinheriting? Who are the lawyers in real life? Who were the lawyers actually working for? Who ends up regretting the wedding? How does Morose plan to disinherit his nephew? How does Morose plan to disinherit Dauphine? What invades Morose's home? What does Dauphine do to show Monrose what grounds he has for divorce? Who hates noise? How many lawyers does Morose consult with? How does Epicoene hide the true nature of their gender? Who tries to interfere with the wedding? How many lawyers does Morose consult? Who is Morose planning to marry? Who says they had sex with Epicoene? How do Dauphine and Morose come to an agreement? Who arranged the match between Morose and Epicoene? Who are the lawyers that Morose consults with? How does Monrose finally get Dauphine to help him with his divorce? What does Epicoene turn out to be? Who claimed to have slept with Epicoene? What does Morose believe about his bride prior to the marriage? Who tries to interfere with the wedding of Morose and Epicoene? What does Morose have to give to Dauphine in order to be able to end his marriage? What does Morose hate? Who is True-wit to Dauphine? What gender is Epicoene?