Artistic analysis: "Boris Godunov" by Pushkin A. S. History of creation, main characters, summary

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Understanding the meaning of the work helps its detailed literary analysis. "Boris Godunov" (Pushkin, as you know, was always interested in historical themes) is a play that has become a landmark event not only in domestic, but also in world drama. The tragedy became a turning point in the poet's work, marking his transition from romanticism to realism. For the writer himself, it was a very successful experience in working with historical material. The success of the composition determined the further work of the classic in this direction.

Writing a piece

First, a few words should be said about how the work on the play went and what is the history of the creation of "Boris Godunov". The biography of the brother-in-law of Tsar Fedor I Ioannovich interested the writer because he was a very complex and controversial personality. In addition, the period of his reign became a turning point in the history of Russia, marking the beginning of the Time of Troubles.

That is why the poet turned to the years of his reign, taking as a basis the folk tales about him, as well as the famous "History of the Russian State" by the famous historian N. M. Karamzin. In the second half of the 1820s, the authorhe was carried away by the work of W. Shakespeare and therefore decided to create his own large-scale tragedy, the plot of which would develop against the backdrop of real events of the past. It is from this that one should build on when talking about what the history of the creation of Boris Godunov was like. This historical figure interested the poet in that Boris was a strong, strong-willed and charismatic figure who, by his origin, could not claim the throne of Moscow, but due to his mind and talent he achieved what he wanted: he was proclaimed king, and he ruled for seven years.

Intro

A brief description of the first scene of the work should begin its analysis. Boris Godunov (Pushkin was interested in the tragedies of Shakespeare, and therefore, like the English playwright, he began with a large-scale artistic sketch of the first picture of the action) is a play in which, according to the generally accepted opinion of critics, the protagonist is the simple Russian people. Therefore, the first scene immediately opens before the reader a wide panorama of the Kremlin Square, where, in fact, after the death of the last son of Ivan the Terrible, Fyodor, the fate of the kingdom was decided.

Representatives of the Zemsky Sobor ordered the audience to ask Boris Godunov to accept the royal title. The latter refuses for a long time, and this plot move is very reminiscent of approximately the same scene from Shakespeare's play "Richard III". However, he finally agrees and promises to rule justly and wisely. The rights of the hero to the throne were explained by the fact that his sister was the wife of the deceased Tsar Fedor, who died childless. herselfQueen Irina gave up power and went to a monastery.

Monastery scene

A separate characteristic of the monk Pimen must be included in this literary analysis. "Boris Godunov" (Pushkin was always attracted by the image of the Russian chronicler, whom he captured in his play) is a work that differs from Shakespeare's historical chronicles in a greater coverage of the place and time of action. The next scene takes place five years after the events described above. The poet describes the peaceful work of the monk Pimen, who is working on his chronicle. His monologue is a wonderful example of an old speech imbued with a deep philosophical meaning. It sounds about the fate of Russia and the place of man in history. The monk argues that the descendants should know the fate of their Fatherland. His long work and humble mood contrast sharply with the behavior of Grigory Otrepiev, who decided to take the throne of Moscow, calling himself the name of the murdered Tsarevich Dmitry Uglichsky, the younger Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

Otrepyev's story

The characterization of this character must necessarily include an artistic analysis. Boris Godunov (Pushkin has always been attracted to adventurous personalities, and this character embodies just such a type of hero) is a drama that is built on a dynamic plot that includes political intrigue and philosophical problems. So, Gregory escaped from the monastery and tried to cross the Lithuanian border.

However, at the inn, he was almost grabbed by the guards. Gregory deceived his pursuers andmanaged to escape to Krakow. Here he began to gather strength for a campaign against Moscow and at the same time looked after the daughter of the local governor Marina Mniszek.

Image of the main character

In the tragedy "Boris Godunov", a summary of which should be retold according to the main scenes of the drama, a psychological portrait of the tsar is given. At first, the author shows him in the family circle, in conversation with his daughter and son. In these passages, the reader sees in him a caring father who cares about the happiness of his heirs.

From his conversation with his son, it becomes obvious that Boris is a wise ruler who deals with state affairs and seeks to teach his successor the same. However, this is followed by a scene in which he appears before the reader in a completely different form. The tsar blames himself for the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry (this fact is not confirmed by historical science, but the author used a popular rumor) and is afraid that this crime will affect his fate. He tries with all his might to be a just and wise ruler, but the thought of the death of a child haunts him. Thus, the author gave a detailed psychological portrait of the king, opening it from two sides and showing his secret mental suffering.

Characteristics of Otrepiev

A. S. Pushkin attached great importance to historical subjects in his work. The drama "Boris Godunov" tells about one of the most dramatic events in the past of Russia - the beginning of the Time of Troubles, which almost led to the fall of state independence.

The author pays much attention to the image of Otrepiev, who became an impostor and took the Moscow throne. In the writer's mind, he was an adventurous person: lively, cunning and very ambitious. In the scene in the border tavern, he showed dexterity, ingenuity, and endurance, managing to get away from the chase. The work "Boris Godunov", whose characters are distinguished by a strong and outstanding character, attracts readers not only with an interesting and dynamic plot, but also with carefully written characters who seem to have descended from the pages of Karamzin's famous work. The impostor has become one of the main key figures of the work, although the play does not show his direct confrontation with the king.

Image of a monk

Pushkin built his work on the basis of historical material. “Boris Godunov” (the chronicler Pimen turned out to be one of the most memorable characters in the drama under consideration) is a tragedy in which a whole gallery of portraits of the late 16th and early 17th centuries is presented. The monk of the monastery, where Grigory Otrepiev lived for some time, is presented in the play as the embodiment of wisdom, peace and tranquility. He is busy writing a chronicle about the events of past times, and it is through his eyes that the reader sees the past, since he himself was an eyewitness to great events. From his monologue, we learn about his reverent and reverent attitude to his work: Pimen understands the importance of creating a chronicle about national history. The entire play "Boris Godunov" is imbued with historical authenticity. The passage describing the scene in the Miracle Monastery is especially solemn, since the speechmonk breathes peace and tranquility, and his calmness contrasts with the restless mood of Grigory Otrepyev.

People in drama

According to the generally accepted opinion of critics, the author brought to the fore ordinary people who are constantly present in the most important scenes of the work. Initially, when the tsar was elected, ordinary residents of the capital gathered on the Kremlin square in order to ask him to take the Moscow throne.

In the scene in the border tavern, there are again people from the social lower classes of society: the hostess of the tavern, ordinary soldiers. This is what distinguishes the play "Boris Godunov" from Shakespeare's historical chronicles. The passage at the end is especially eloquent and meaningful: at the decisive moment when the impostor is proclaimed king, the assembled crowd is silent. By this, the author showed that at the moment fate was being decided at the top, among the boyars, who took the side of Otrepiev. This scene is, in fact, the climax, although it was taken out by the poet at the very end.

So, the people in the tragedy "Boris Godunov" is the main character. This feature of the drama was also reflected in the opera of the same name by the famous Russian composer M. Mussorgsky, in which choral parts are of paramount importance.

Start of war

The play "Boris Godunov", a summary of which is the subject of this review, consists of several scenes that are united by one common idea - the confrontation between man and power. The next scene begins with a descriptionmilitary actions of the impostor. He moves to Moscow in the hope of seizing power. However, in the meantime, Boris unexpectedly dies in the capital, but manages to bless his eldest son Fedor for the reign before his death. Meanwhile, among the boyars, a plan has matured to raise a rebellion against the children of the deceased ruler, and one of them proclaims the impostor king. The play ends with the silence of the people.