Rugantino
Rome, 1830. the story starts with Rugantino, a poor man who loves playing pranks and jokes and trick others. He has been punished for one of his latest scams and he is confronted by Rosetta, a beautiful woman married to Gnecco, a very jealous man. Rugantino bets with his friends that he will be able to woe her before the "Lanternoni" festival and if he does not manage, he will be happy to accept a punishment. At the same time Rugantino is looking after Eusebia, his ex lover, who is now in need of help. He finds Mastro Titta, an executioner, would be a good option for her and Rugantino could also trick him into helping him. Rugantino introduces them, hiding Titta's job to Eusebia and introducing her as his sister. With Gnecco away from Rome, Rugantino continues to court Rosetta and convinces her to meet him at Campo Vaccino, where the two have a romantic meeting and end up falling in love. Rugantino hides this to his friends, preferring to pay the price for having lost the bet. Gnecco returns to Rome, but he is killed. Rugantino decides to come forward as the killer, to show Rosetta he is "a real man", but runs away and hides in Mastro Titta's house when the police arrives. He's found and taken to prison, where he confesses to Mastro Titta that he is innocent. When Rosetta arrives and confesses her love, Rugantino decides not to confess the truth and to endure his punishment, being hanged.