The story unfolds on the shores of Sicily, centering around the love shared between the nymph Galatea and the mortal shepherd Acis. Their idyllic romance is threatened by the monstrous Cyclops Polyphemus, who is infatuated with Galatea. The narrative weaves together moments of joy and despair, culminating in tragedy as Polyphemus, driven by jealousy, kills Acis. However, love transcends death, and Acis is transformed by Galatea into a river, allowing him to live on in a new form.