The film consists of twelve episodes, all with Monica Vitti as the protagonist.

A young Sicilian is swindled twice, but ends up rich; a man poses as a deaf-mute in a convent of curious nuns; a woman must hide her lover when her husband comes home early; a scoundrel fools a priest on his deathbed; three brothers take revenge on their sister's lover; a young girl sleeps on the roof to meet her boyfriend at night; a group of painters wait for inspiration; a crafty priest attempts to seduce his friend's wife; and two friends make a pact to find out what happens after death.

A man and his son take an allegorical stroll through life with a talking bird that spouts social and political philosophy.

A day at an Italian trial court, where a magistrate judges a full array of peculiar petty crimes and characters.