Lucretia is already married to Messer Nicia, a dull-witted doctor of laws and a much older man
than he. In order to overcome this obstacle Callimaco enlists the aid of Ligurio.
Knowing that Messer Nicia desires a child but has been unable to conceive, he passes
Callimaco off as a doctor who can make a potion from the mandrake root to cure infertility. The
only problem is that the first man who lies with Lucretia after she imbibes the potion will die
from its effects. Though Messer Nicia is initially reluctant to agree to the plan, Ligurio
convinces him that they can easily kidnap a person to lie with his wife without the treachery
being found out by the police. Lucretia, however, is not so easy to convince. Her mother,
Sostrata, must take her to Frate Timoteo, who convinces her that committing adultery in this
situation would not be a sin.
After administering the potion to Lucretia, Callimaco disguises himself as a minstrel, and
the other characters kidnap and place him in her bed. After spending the night with her, he
reveals his plot, confesses his love for her, and she agrees to continue their affair unbeknownst to
her husband. The play ends in celebration, and everyone receives a due reward for their efforts.
35
Convention