In the tragedy “Boris Godunov,” A. S. Pushkin reflected a historical fact characterizing the era, as well as the mood of Russia in 1824-1825, the main of which was the discontent of the people with serfdom and autocracy. In addition, the author acted as an innovative playwright, creating a unique genre. “Boris Godunov” is a historical tragedy and a folk drama at the same time.
Pushkin's attitude to his work
The play “Boris Godunov” was completed by A. S. Pushkin at the end of 1825 in exile. The center of the poet's literary life in 1825 was the village of Mikhailovskoye: there he created and studied the historical works of Shakespeare. Pushkin himself in a letter to his comrades at that time reported that his spiritual forces “had reached full development,” and considered writing “Boris Godunov” one of the most important events of his life in Mikhailovsky.
Taking an example from the historical plays of Shakespeare, Pushkin describes the era of the 17th century in Russia in detail, without paying attention to details, without spectacular scenes and pathos. “Boris Godunov” was his experiment, the success of which, as conceived by the author, could reform the existing Russian dramaturgy.
The author's idea was a success, Pushkin was pleased with his work. In the memoirs of A. S. Pushkin himself, it is said that after writing “Boris Godunov” he reread his work aloud, was in an enthusiastic mood, clapped his hands and said: “Ah yes Pushkin!”. “Favorite composition” - the poet called this his work.
The plot of the work
By order of Boris Godunov, heir to the throne, Dmitry Tsarevich, was killed. This made it possible to ascend the throne to Godunov himself.
The witness to the heir’s murder was the monk Pimen, who, after some time, told the story to the monk Grigory Otrepiev. The age of the monk coincided with the age of Tsarevich Dmitry. Gregory, who had set for monastic life, decided to impersonate the heir to the throne. He fled from the monastery to Lithuania, and then to Poland, where he gathered troops to march on Moscow.
The impostor brought enemies to Russian soil. As a result of several battles and betrayals of the Moscow military leaders, the army of False Dmitry defeated. At this time, Boris Godunov himself died, but the heir remained - his son, whom the fate of Tsarevich Dmitry suffered.
When the boyar on the porch announced that Maria Godunova and her son had poisoned themselves with poison, the people fell silent in horror, experiencing a spiritual shock. Therefore, there is no doubt when considering the work "Boris Godunov". What is this genre? Of course, this is a folk drama.
Historical situation
The main thing in the play is the reflection of a certain historical situation, which is repeated at different turns of history. Therefore, the genre of the work “Boris Godunov” is called historical tragedy.
After all, the monarch who eliminated his predecessor was both Napoleon Bonaparte and Richard III, described by Shakespeare. History also testifies to how the monarch who came to power, who first wanted to be good for the people, gradually manifests itself as a despot, which is also reflected in the play. But that ruler, who does not enjoy the support of the people or does not have a moral right to do so, is doomed to death and exposure by descendants in the future.
A. S. Pushkin loved his Fatherland and dedicated its history to the poem “Boris Godunov”, the genre of which makes the reader think about learning lessons from the history of the state.
Folk drama
In a drama, there is usually no description of the characters. The plot of the work is transmitted in the process of a conversation between his characters. This is how the plot of Pushkin’s poem “Boris Godunov” was built, the genre of which is based on elements of drama. The author only occasionally gives stingy remarks, and the main disclosure of the plot, the secret thoughts of the heroes - all this happens during their conversation.
Reflecting on the principles of drama, Pushkin asked the question: “What is the purpose of the tragedy? What is the main theme of the play? ” Both the author of Boris Godunov and the genre of the work give the following answer: “This is the people and their fate.”
But contemporaries were critical of the poet’s first experience with an artistic description of history. His innovation in drama was not appreciated by critics.
Indeed, the author used many new tricks: this is a five-foot iambic, as well as the use of prose. The work includes 23 scenes, it is not divided into acts, as was customary at that time. In addition, the main conflict of the tragedy - the contradictions between representatives of the people and the authorities - is not resolved, as was customary for contemporaries to write tragedies. On the contrary, the conflict is only getting worse, as the next usurper ascends the throne in the same way as his predecessor ascended.
The tragedy of the protagonist
The play claims that Boris Godunov is guilty of the death of the Tsarevich, although there is no evidence of guilt of the corresponding historical person. Pangs of conscience oppress Godunov, make his life joyless, which is very well confirmed by his following words:
Like a hammer, knocking in the ears a rebuke
And everything feels sick and dizzy
And the boys are bloody in the eyes ...
And glad to run, but nowhere ... - terrible!
Yes, the one in whom conscience is unclean is miserable.
The poet understood that he was writing for the scene, and the words of the hero must be confirmed by the actor’s play.
The author presented in the poem of the monk Grigory Otrepiev, an adventurer who was able to use a unique opportunity to achieve ascension to the throne. The people called False Dmitry an impostor, and the king, hearing such a nickname, understood that it corresponded to him too. But Tsar Boris did not repent, as a result of his fate ended in death, and then the heir died.
The place of the people in the play
A people is a carrier of high morality. He condemns the crime of his king and wants fair power. By deceit, the government makes people an accomplice in their crimes. For example, in the play, the crowd, instigated by accomplices of False Dmitry, deals with the king’s heir, hoping for justice to triumph. But as a result, the people get another impostor. This is his tragedy.
Having understood this, the people are silent. What is hidden behind this silence? This is the confusion of the people, and the condemnation of criminals, and a dumb threat. The genre of Boris Godunov is a historical tragedy of the people, it contributes to the depiction of the people as an exponent of the highest moral truth and a fair judge of any government.
Opera by Modest Mussorgsky
In 1869 Modest Mussorgsky finished work on the opera Boris Godunov. The text of A. S. Pushkin was used by him to write the libretto. The author managed to stage the opera on stage only in 1874. But in 1882 she was removed from the scene. The audience spoke of the opera in two ways: part of it enthusiastically spoke of the folk spirit embodied on the stage, the correct description of the era, liveliness of images, but another part of the audience noted the technical flaws of the work, which include, in particular, the inconvenience of the parties and the fragmentary phrases.
N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, being a friend of Mussorgsky and appreciating his talent, made several technical adaptations of the opera, which did not affect the author’s intention.
What is the genre of the opera Boris Godunov? This is a genre of musical drama, which, being an opera, obeys the laws of drama theater.
Pushkin, as the real son of his Fatherland, was always worried about the fate of the people and the state. Without giving any recommendations in this work, the Pushkin playwright realistically shows the problems of all social strata and a specific person. Therefore, the genre of Boris Godunov is attributed to historical tragedy and folk drama, the use of which in literature was a revolutionary phenomenon of the time.