Two princes, Pyrocles and Musidorus, disguise themselves to infiltrate the court of Arcadia and win the hearts of the King's daughters. The protagonists navigate a complex web of romantic entanglements, political intrigue, and pastoral life while concealing their true identities from the royal family. Their objectives are complicated by the King's eccentric decision to withdraw his family into the wilderness, creating a volatile environment where social hierarchies and personal desires collide. The narrative employs a sophisticated, multi-layered structure that blends prose with eclogues, reflecting the stylistic conventions of the Elizabethan era.

Readers and critics frequently discuss the work as a foundational text of English prose fiction that showcases the height of Elizabethan literary ambition. Discussion often centers on the intricate balance between the pastoral atmosphere and the underlying political commentary regarding the responsibilities of leadership. Scholars highlight the density of the prose, noting that the elaborate rhetorical style requires patience from the modern reader. Many emphasize how the text serves as a bridge between medieval romance traditions and the emerging novel form. The work remains a primary subject for those interested in the evolution of narrative structure and the influence of classical models on early modern English writing.