The plot of the play unfolds in a mansion in Athens. It revolves around a wealthy family that also has a substantial amount of staff: a cook, an assistant cook, a coachman, a stable boy, porters, a laundrywoman, maids, and a doorman. Among the staff is Maroula, the house’s "washer." She is the daughter of a poor vine grower from Andros. She is a hardworking girl and bears the brunt of the household chores. She is of marriageable age and is loved by the household's cook, but she prefers the coachman of the house, who appears to be a "lad and tough guy"; however, he does not respond to her affections and states that he will only marry when he receives a substantial dowry.

Well-crafted, the play is firmly based on the principles of French farcical comedy, outstanding in its entirety and with a model first act; nothing comparable has yet been seen on the Greek stage regarding its technical perfection.

According to the historian of Modern Greek Theater, Giannis Sideris, The Death of Pericles is the only comedy by Koromilas among the many he wrote that did not remain in obscurity. It beautifully satirizes an aspect of the Greek character; its heroes quarrel for no reason. Luckily, the language is demotic; it was influenced by Angelos Vlachos, who wrote The Grocer's Daughter in demotic. This was pleasant for the audience: "... the demotic language resonated, the spectator revived, and the playwrights will start writing one-act comedies, some of which will remain as the best theatrical Greek works." Among the best theatrical works, Sideris mentions The Death of Pericles as the foremost piece.