Boris Godunov

The historical and political tragedy “Boris Godunov” was written by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin after he came to know the epoch-making work by N. M. Karamzin, “History of the Russian State.”

It was this work that inspired Pushkin to create a drama in which the role of the people in the country’s history is revealed: the search for the origins of tyrannical power and its influence on the ruler himself. In “Boris Godunov,” Pushkin raises questions, but does not provide answers—he doesn’t offer a finished thought, but makes you think.

In order to fully reveal the relationship between the tsar and the people, A. S. Pushkin shows Boris Godunov from different angles. He has both positive qualities and negative ones. The future ruler possesses extraordinary intelligence and will, and undoubtedly cares about the well-being of his people. In addition, Godunov soberly evaluates his position: he knows how he came to power and what the boyars think of him. Therefore, on his deathbed, he instructs his heir and denounces the court circle.

Still, towards the people, Godunov remains a conservative. If among the closest people he is willing to value intellect and places it above birth, then the people he keeps in submission and strictness. By abolishing Yuryev Day, he only sets himself against the people and thereby only intensifies class struggle. In the end, it is precisely this that leads to the overthrow of the tsar. Godunov’s weakness is also shown in his constant torment over his unlawful accession to the throne—though the tsar did everything so that the people themselves would want to see him as their ruler.

After the death of the true heir, Dmitry, Boris Godunov retreats into a monastery. The people believe that “the brilliance of the throne frightens him,” but Boyar Shuisky is sure this game is designed so that the people will pray to Boris to take the throne in Moscow. Everything happens exactly according to this scenario. Godunov accepts power with fear and humility.

Four years later, in a distant monastery, the young monk Grigory—who is the contemporary of the murdered heir Dmitry—learns from Pimen about the terrible bloody sin that lies upon Godunov. After that, Grigory runs away from the monastery in order to become tsar in Moscow. For such audacity, the Patriarch orders the monk to be exiled to the Solovetsky Monastery, but the fugitive cannot be caught.

During the six years of Boris Godunov’s reign, he never found happiness. He had dreamed of power in order to make his people happy. But his efforts are fruitless, and his heart is oppressed by the bloody sin. In addition, in Krakow, a Dmitry appears—Dmitry, the murdered youth. Shuisky understands it and warns Godunov that if this news reaches the people, great trouble will follow: ruthless unrest. The impostor Grigory is supported by the king and the lords (pans). And Godunov wonders whether the impostor really is Dmitry, and whether the lawful heir has not risen from the dead.

The impostor Grigory wins over Poles, Cossacks, and Lithuanians, promising each what they expect from him. And in the autumn of 1604, the former monk brings enemies onto Russian soil, justifying himself by saying that he is fighting a murderer of the tsar. In the winter near Novgorod-Seversky, the impostor wins, and the people begin to worry and riot against the tsar.

Godunov is dissatisfied with his boyars and commanders. Despite the fact that Russian forces achieve victories, the impostor gathers an army again. During the appointment of a new commander, Boris Godunov suddenly falls ill, and blood pours from his ears and nose. On his deathbed, Godunov gives instructions to his son on how to rule fairly and correctly as tsar.

The new commander Basmanov betrays the prince Fyodor and switches to the side of the impostor Dmitry. In the name of Prince Dmitry, Grigory Pushkin stirs the people in the Moscow square and calls for the killing of Prince Fyodor. But amid the crowd there is compassion for the innocent children of Godunov. The shock that Boris’s wife and his son Fyodor were poisoned prevented people from greeting the new tsar.

Sergey Kilesso read the audiobook “Boris Godunov.” Proper, correct speech, a beautiful timbre, and expressive narration let you enjoy Pushkin’s classic work.