[1] Hadassah, a beautiful Jewish girl, lives with her cousin (and legal guardian) Mordechai in Shushan, the capital of Persia.

Guards then search the entire kingdom for worthy candidates, taking them from their homes by force to the palace.

After spending the night with Esther, the King falls in love with her and crowns her queen.

The next day, Esther calls Haggai to her chambers and asks him what she should do to win back the king's favor.

This further angers Haman, and they suggest he builds a gallows 50 cubits high to hang Mordecai upon.

On hearing this decree, Mordecai dresses himself in sackcloth and ashes and mourns outside the palace gates for several days and nights.

Esther is reminded that if the king holds out his golden scepter, her life will be spared.

Esther tells Mordecai to gather all the Jews and fast for three days on her behalf.

That night, King Ahasuerus wakes up after having a nightmare, and not able to sleep, asks the royal eunuchs to read the chronicle.

In the final scene, some of the Jews are shown returning home to Jerusalem, led by Ezra.