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Cover of Boris Godunov: a drama in verse

Boris Godunov: a drama in verse

Written by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin

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Godunov, Boris Fyodorovich, Czar of Russia, 1551 or 2-1605

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About this book

"Boris Godunov: A Drama in Verse" by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin is a dramatic play written in the early 19th century. The work is set in Russia during the tumultuous reign of Boris Godunov, exploring themes of power, legitimacy, and the consequences of political ambition. The principal characters include Boris Godunov, a peasant’s son who ascends to the throne amid claims of tyranny and murder, and a young monk named Gregory Otrepiev, who emerges as a pretender to the tsar's title, leading to the central conflict of the play. The opening of "Boris Godunov" presents a vivid portrayal of political intrigue and unrest in Russia. As the play begins, key nobles discuss Boris's reluctance to ascend the throne amid the public's discontent and the shadow of the murdered tsarevich Dimitry. Characters like Prince Shuisky and Vorotinsky speculate on Boris's culpability in the young prince's death. The people's cries for leadership set the stage for Boris’s eventual reluctant acceptance of power and introduce Gregory Otrepiev, whose ambitions ignite a turbulent quest for the throne, foretelling the chaotic struggle for authority and legitimacy that unfolds throughout the narrative.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Boris Godunov: a drama in verse, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • dark
  • tragic
  • historical

Aleksandr Pushkin's "Boris Godunov: A Drama in Verse" is a profound historical tragedy set in early 17th-century Russia, depicting the tumultuous reign of Tsar Boris Godunov, who ascended to the throne under the shadow of the murdered Tsarevich Dmitry. The play masterfully explores themes of power, legitimacy, and the crushing weight of guilt as Boris grapples with his conscience and the precariousness of his rule. His reign is challenged by the charismatic False Dmitry, a young monk-turned-pretender whose fabricated claim ignites a civil war that ultimately leads to Boris's downfall and the triumph of the imposter. Pushkin uniquely portrays the Russian people as an active, albeit fickle, force in history, whose shifting allegiances dictate the fate of rulers and the course of the nation.

“Ah, I have reached the highest power; / Six years I've reigned in peace. But happiness? Not mine.”

Key themes

Legitimacy and Usurpation
The play fundamentally questions the basis of rightful rule. Boris's reign is constantly undermined by the shadow of the murdered Tsarevich Dmitry, making his power illegitimate in the eyes of many, including himself. The False Dmitry's emergence exploits this vulnerability, presenting a challenge based on (fabricated) divine right, highlighting the fragility of power without perceived moral authority.
Conscience and Guilt
Boris Godunov is a powerful study of a man tormented by his past crime. Despite his outward success and administrative prowess, his inner peace is shattered by guilt over the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry, leading to paranoia, hallucinations, and ultimately his physical and mental decline. The play explores how even a powerful individual can be undone by their own moral burden.
The Power of the People (Narod)
Pushkin's play is groundbreaking in its portrayal of the Russian people not as a passive backdrop, but as an active, sometimes fickle, force in history. Their initial manipulated cries for Boris, their later disillusionment and grumbling, and their enthusiastic support for the False Dmitry demonstrate their collective power to legitimize or delegitimize rulers, even if easily swayed by rumor and charisma. The chilling silent ending underscores their ultimate, yet ambiguous, power.

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