In the tragedy "Boris Godunov" A. S. Pushkin depicted a historical fact that characterizes the era, as well as the mood of Russia in 1824-1825, the main of which was the dissatisfaction of the people with serfdom and autocracy. In addition, the author acted here as an innovative playwright, creating a unique genre. "Boris Godunov" is a historical tragedy and folk drama at the same time.
Pushkin's attitude to his work
The play "Boris Godunov" was finished by A. S. Pushkin at the end of 1825 in exile. The center of the literary life of the poet in 1825 was the village of Mikhailovskoye: there he created and studied the historical works of Shakespeare. Pushkin himself, in his letter to his comrades at that time, reported that his spiritual powers "reached full development", and considered writing "Boris Godunov" one of the most important events of his life in Mikhailovsky.
Taking an example from Shakespeare's historical plays, 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, according to the author's intention, could reformexisting 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: “Oh, Pushkin!”. “My favorite composition” - this is how the poet called this work of his.
The plot of the work
By order of Boris Godunov, the heir to the throne Dmitry Tsarevich was killed. This made it possible for Godunov himself to ascend the throne.
Monk Pimen became a witness to the murder of the heir, who, after some time, told this story to the monk Grigory Otrepiev. The age of the monk coincided with the age of Tsarevich Dmitry. Complaining about monastic life, Gregory decided to impersonate the heir to the throne. He fled from the monastery to Lithuania, and then to Poland, where he gathered an army to march on Moscow.
The impostor brought enemies to Russian soil. As a result of several battles and betrayal of the Moscow military leaders, the army of False Dmitry won. At this time, Boris Godunov himself died, but the heir remained - his son, who suffered the fate of Tsarevich Dmitry.
When the boyar came out onto the porch and 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 genre is this? Of course, this is a folk drama.
Historical situation
The main thing in the play is the display of a certain historicala situation that repeats itself at different turns of history. Therefore, the genre of the work "Boris Godunov" is called a historical tragedy.
After all, the monarch who eliminated his predecessor was both Napoleon Bonaparte and Richard III, described by Shakespeare. The story also shows how the monarch who came to power, who at first wants to be good for the people, gradually manifests himself as a despot, which is also reflected in the play. But the ruler who does not enjoy the support of the people or does not have the moral right to do so is doomed to death and to be exposed by posterity in the future.
A. S. Pushkin loved his Fatherland and dedicated the poem "Boris Godunov" to its history, the genre of which makes the reader think about learning lessons from the history of the state.
Folk Drama
Drama usually lacks character descriptions. The plot of the work is conveyed in the course of the conversation of its characters. This is how the plot of Pushkin's poem "Boris Godunov" is constructed, the genre of which is based on elements of drama. The author only occasionally gives mean remarks, and the main disclosure of the plot, the secret thoughts of the characters - all this happens during their conversation.
Thinking about the principles of dramaturgy, Pushkin asked the question: “What is the purpose of 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 destiny."
But contemporaries were critical of the poet's first attempt at an artistic description of history. His innovation in dramaturgy was not appreciatedcritics.
Indeed, the author used a lot of new tricks: iambic pentameter, 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 contradiction between the representatives of the people and the authorities - is not resolved, as was customary for writing tragedies by contemporaries. Instead, the conflict only gets worse as the next usurper ascends the throne the same way his predecessor did.
Tragedy of the protagonist
The play states that Boris Godunov is guilty of the death of the prince, although there is no evidence of the guilt of the corresponding historical figure. Pangs of conscience oppress Godunov, make his life bleak, which is very well confirmed by his following words:
Like a hammer, reproach knocks in the ears, And everyone is sick and dizzy, And the boys are bloody in the eyes…
And I'm glad to run, but there is nowhere… - terrible!
Yes, pitiful is the one with a bad conscience.
The poet understood what he was writing for the stage, and the words of the hero must be confirmed by the acting of the actor.
The author introduced in the poem the monk Grigory Otrepiev, an adventurer who was able to use a unique opportunity to achieve the ascension to the throne. The people called False Dmitry an impostor, and the tsar, hearing such a nickname, understood that it corresponded to him too. But Tsar Boris did not repent, as a result, his fate ended in death, and then the death of the heir occurred.
Place of the people in the play
The people arebearer of high morality. He condemns the crime of his king and wants a just government. By deceit, the authorities make the people an accomplice in their crimes. For example, in the play, the crowd, incited by False Dmitry's accomplices, cracks down on the tsar's heir, hoping for the triumph of justice. But as a result, the people get another impostor. Therein lies his tragedy.
Having understood this, the people remain silent. What lies behind this silence? This is the confusion of the people, and the condemnation of criminals, and a mute threat. The genre of "Boris Godunov" is a folk historical tragedy, it contributes to the image 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 put the opera on stage only in 1874. But in 1882 she was removed from the stage. The audience spoke of the opera in two ways: part of it enthusiastically spoke about the folk spirit embodied on the stage, about the correctness of the description of the era, the liveliness of the images, but the other part of the public noted the technical shortcomings of the work, which should 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 the dramatic theater.
Pushkin, as a real son of his Fatherland, was always worried about the fate of the people and the state. Without giving any recommendations in this work, Pushkin the playwright realistically shows the problems of all social strata and a particular 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 that time.
