The Changeling Summary

Alsemero, after glimpsing Beatrice at church, expresses to himself the hope that he can
gain her hand in marriage. Outside, in the street, his musings are interrupted by
Jasperino. To the latters surprise, he learns that Alsemero, whose enthusiasm for travel
is common knowledge, is reluctant to undertake a projected voyage to Malta. While they
are talking, Beatrice enters, accompanied by Diaphanta, and the four talk in friendly
fashion. The mood of Beatrice changes to anger, however, with the arrival of De Flores,
her fathers servant, to whom she has a seemingly unconquerable aversion. She makes
no effort to hide her feelings from De Flores, who, nevertheless, remains unabashed and
continues to follow her about.
Vermandero, Beatrices father, passes by and meets Alsemero for the first time. He is
pleased to learn that the young man is the son of an old friend of his, a battle companion
now dead. To Alsemero he gives an invitation to visit the castle of which Vermandero is
governor. The invitation is eagerly accepted, but Alsemeros pleasure turns to dismay
when he learns of Vermanderos determination to wed Beatrice to Alonzo De Piracquo
within the next seven days. As they start for the castle, Beatrice drops one of her gloves.
In disdain she throws its mate after it rather than accept the glove from the hands of De
Flores, who picks it up and offers it to her.
Meanwhile, in another part of Alicante, Alibius is giving instructions to his servant Lollio.
Alibius, a doctor, makes Lollio promise to keep an eye on Isabella, the formers much
younger wife. The doctors establishment, which includes facilities for the care of
madmen and fools, soon increases with the arrival of a new patient. Antonio, enamored
of Isabella, chooses to pose as an idiot so that he can be near her. Lollio interrogates
Antonio in an effort to establish his degree of stupidity, but Antonio cleverly parries the
servants questions.
With the help of Jasperino and Diaphanta, Beatrice and Alsemero communicate with
each other and arrange a secret meeting. De Flores, coming to announce the arrival of
Beatrices suitor, Alonzo, is cruelly railed at, but he equably prolongs the interview to be
in Beatrices presence. His doggedness arouses in her a vague presentiment of evil,
which is quickly dismissed when she rallies herself to face Alonzo. He and her father
reluctantly agree to her request for a three-day postponement of the wedding. Her
behavior prompts Alonzos brother, Tomaso, to utter the warning that Beatrice is not in
love, but Alonzo shrugs off any intimation that the marriage is not wise.
Beatrice and Alsemero confess their mutual affection. Beatrice, however, refuses her
lovers offer to engage Alonzo in a duel because she fears that his death or punishment
would be the result of such an affair. Instead, she suggests another scheme to get rid of

Alonzo, with De Flores serving as a possible tool through whom to work her will. Seeking
him out, she gains his consent to help her, but she does not know the price that he
expects her to pay. Fate takes a hand in their plotting when Alonzo presently asks De
Flores to guide him about the castles obscure maze of passageways. De Flores cozens
Alonzo into disarming himself, then kills him with a rapier previously hidden behind a
door. Before disposing of the body, he cuts off a finger adorned by a diamond ring.
Back at the house of Alibius, Isabella complains to Lollio about the strict watch under
which she is kept. Out of curiosity, she prevails upon him to let her visit the quarters
reserved for the madmen and fools. There she meets Franciscus, who, like Antonio, is
one of the gentlemen from the castle of Alicante with amorous designs upon Isabella. He
manages to convey his feelings to her, and she reflects that, after all, a lady need not
leave her home if she has any desire to stray from virtue. Lollio, infected by all this
romantic intriguing, forgets his masters commission and makes advances to Isabella,
but she repulses him.
De Flores, to prove that he did her bidding, brings the finger of the murdered Alonzo to
Beatrice. Refusing her offer of gold, he threatens her with exposure for her part in the
crime if she refuses to reward him with her love. Beatrice, twist and turn as she might,
can find no avenue of escape from his relentless blackmail, and eventually she yields to
his desires.
Vermandero misunderstands the sudden disappearance of Alonzo; angered, he allows
his daughter to make a hasty marriage to Alsemero. Nevertheless, he begins to wonder
about the prolonged absence from the castle of Antonio and Franciscus; they are sent
for, to be questioned about Alonzo. A few hours before her wedding night, Beatrice
begins to fear Alsemeros discovery that she is no longer a maid. Pleading timidity, she
persuades Diaphanta, who is still a virgin, to act as her substitute in Alsemeros bed
during the early part of the night. Diaphanta is far from displeased to be asked this favor,
even without the gold with which her mistress promises to reward her.
Elaborate nuptial celebrations are planned for Beatrice and Alsemero. As part of the
entertainment, Vermandero requests that Alibius rehearse some of his madmen and
fools so that they might perform a weird dance for the amusement of the assembly.
Alibius decides that he will let Isabella accompany him to the castle for that event.
Meanwhile that lady, attracted to Antonio, disguises herself briefly as a madwoman to
converse with him. Lollio plays a prank on Antonio and Franciscus by pretending, to
each, that Isabella will reward him for getting rid of the other.
Diaphanta, pretending to be Beatrice, amorously overstays her time with Alsemero, so
that her impatient mistress becomes first dismayed, then suspicious, and at last

vengeful. At the suggestion of De Flores, she agrees to Diaphantas death. A fire is set,
to create confusion and arouse Diaphanta from the marriage bed. The unfortunate young
woman is followed to her own bedroom and slain by De Flores.
Franciscus and Antonio are apprehended and charged with the murder of Alonzo, since
it is learned that they entered Alibiuss house in disguise on the day of Alonzos
disappearance. Beatrice and De Flores finally bring about their own undoing, however,
after Alsemeros discovery of their secret meetings makes him suspicious. Under his
questioning, Beatrice breaks down and confesses. Although she pleads her love for him
as an excuse for the crime, Alsemero, shocked, takes her and De Flores into custody.
The pair are unwilling to face trial; De Flores gives Beatrice a fatal wound and then stabs
himself, unrepentant to the last.