Fantasio is considered by some to be one of the masterpieces of dramatic world literature. The Princess Elsbeth has been arranged to marry the Prince of Mantua in order to avoid war. Fantasio, a deeply in debt gentleman, dresses up as the court jester to hide from his creditors. When Fantasio, disguised as the jester, meets the Princess, he falls in love and tries to thwart her marriage. Described as an almost-romance, this play proves that not all fairytales have a happily ever after.