A young peasant girl, Giselle, was in love with Albrecht, a Duke who hid his title and his engagement to another. When Giselle discovered he had deceived her, she was driven to madness, and died of a broken heart.  After her death, Giselle became a Wili---a maiden spirit.  The Wilis, angry at their own loss of love would often dance young men to exhaustion and confusion, but when Albrecht comes onto the scene, Giselle shows her true love for him.  She breaks through the hatred and vengeance shown by the other Wilis and saves Albrecht from their reign.