A young nobleman disguises himself as a Dutch shoemaker to win the hand of a woman against his family's wishes, triggering a series of comedic social entanglements. Simon Eyre, a boisterous and ambitious master shoemaker, rises through the ranks of London society while navigating the romantic complications of his employees and the local aristocracy. The narrative follows the intersecting lives of apprentices, masters, and nobles within the bustling trade environment of Elizabethan London. The play utilizes a multi-plot structure to contrast the rigid hierarchies of the nobility with the pragmatic, industrious nature of the merchant class. The text is presented as a dramatic script, relying on dialogue and stage directions to advance the plot and define character motivations.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the play's exuberant tone and its sympathetic portrayal of the working class. Discussion often centers on the character of Simon Eyre, who serves as a central figure of vitality and social mobility within the narrative. Scholars note the effectiveness of the play in capturing the atmosphere of Elizabethan London through its focus on trade and daily labor. The balance between the romantic plot and the comedic subplots is often cited as a key factor in the work's enduring appeal to audiences. Many readers appreciate the lighthearted nature of the conflict, which avoids the darker themes present in other dramas of the period.