When Gelsomina, a naïve young woman, is purchased by brutish circus strong man Zampanò to be his wife and partner, she loyally awakens her husband's coldness and abuse since they travel the countryside. So on Zampanò must deal with his jealousy and conflicted feelings when she finds a kindred soul in Il Matto, the circus idiot that is carefree, also contemplates leaving Zampanò.