Harpagon is a wealthy man, but he rules his household with a greedy fist. He skimps on everything, tyrannizes and restricts his children and staff. At the same time, however, he is a hedonist. He would like to marry the young and charming Mariana, who prefers his son Cleante. He intends to marry his daughter Élisabeth off without a dowry to an aging man and Kleante to a rich widow. However, Élisabeth secretly loves Valère, the steward, who pretends to flatter Harpagon and tries to win his favor. The marriages in the house are organized by the shrewd matchmaker Frosine, with the help of the cunning servant Chicaneur. After many humorous twists and turns, everything turns out differently than the master of the house had hoped. Instead of Mariana, he embraces his lost and rediscovered gold coins and wants nothing to do with his children. The two young couples in love find temporary refuge with Frosina.