In 1680s England, James II of England sentences his political enemy, Lord Clancharlie, to death in an iron maiden (torture device). Clancharlie's son, Gwynplaine, is disfigured with a Glasgow smile by Comprachicos Dr. Hardquannone, so that he will "laugh forever at his fool of a father". When the comprachicos are exiled, Gwynplaine is deserted. He discovers a blind baby girl, Dea, who has also been abandoned. Together, they are taken in by the Charlatan Ursus.