Argan, the Imaginary Invalid, is a wealthy nobleman who is hypochondriac and neurotic, with the tormenting obsession that he suffers from various illnesses. He falls victim to the exploitation of doctors and his second wife, Bélina, who is only interested in his wealth. Unable to rid himself of his obsession and unwilling to pay exorbitant sums to doctors, he decides to marry his daughter to a doctor, so that he can have his own doctor at home. Because of this desire, a crisis will erupt that will create disturbances throughout the family.

Harpagón is the Miser, an old miser, widowed, dependent on his gold, so much so that the idea of losing it drives him crazy. A comic and at the same time tragic character, a hostage to his weakness and narcissism, he sees enemies everywhere and oppresses his children, Cléante and Elise, trying to impose profitable marriages on them, disregarding their own desires, while he himself chooses a beautiful young girl, Mariane, as his wife, whom his son, Cléante, is in love with. The children react to their father's choices and thus begins an attempt to thwart Harpagón's plans.