She loyally awakens her husband's coldness and abuse as they travel the countryside performing when circus strongman Zampanò, purchases from the mother Gelsomina, a naïve young woman to be his wife and partner. So on Zampanò has to deal with conflicted feelings and his jealousy if she discovers a kindred soul in Il Matto, the circus fool that is carefree, and contemplates leaving Zampanò.