The Baron and his court find him in a drunken stupor and decide to play a joke on Jeppe.
The opening scene of the play sees his wife, Nille, demand he make a long trip to buy soap.
On his way, he stops at the inn of Jakob Skomager, who slowly coerces Jeppe into spending all of his money on alcohol.
While in a drunken stupor, he is discovered by the baron and his servants who decide to play a joke on Jeppe.
Upon awaking, Jeppe is greatly confused by the grandeur of his surroundings and wonders if he is dreaming or in paradise.
Jeppe is then arrested and presented before the magistrate for seizing the baron's castle and tormenting the servants.
He immediately asks for schnapps and is chastised by wife, who is no longer sympathetic.The court which had sentenced him to hang in jest then pardons him, and he is taken down from the gallows.