we are introduced to Sganarelle and his wife, Martine, who engage in a humorous and spirited quarrel that reveals the dynamics of their turbulent relationship. Martine is overwhelmed by Sganarelle's drunkenness and irresponsible behavior, which sets the stage for her scheme to take revenge on him. Meanwhile, two messengers from the king arrive, searching for a doctor to treat the ailing princess. Martine seizes the opportunity to suggest that her husband is indeed a great physician, but only if he is adequately beaten. This sets off a chain of events that leads to Sganarelle being forced to embrace this unexpected identity, propelling the comedic adventures that characterize the rest of the play. (This is an automatically generated summary.)