Gennaro, the son of Lucretia Borgia, lives unaware of the identity of his mother, who has married the Duke of Ferrara. After Lucretias brother is killed by five conspirators, the fathers of Gennaros dearest friends, Lucretia tortures the old men to death. Later, Gennaro and his companions journey to Lucretias domain, and she sees her son for the first time. The Duke, who believes him to be her lover, poisons him, but Lucretia administers the antidote in time and saves his life. Then she schemes to poison her sons five friends for their fathers mistake.