The image and character of Boris Godunov in the tragedy Boris Godunov - an artistic analysis. Pushkin, Alexander Sergeyevich

"Boris Godunov" is a realistic drama written by Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin, the main character of which, as the name implies, is Boris Godunov - by the way, a completely real historical figure.

Boris Fedorovich Godunov, in fact, was the ruler of the state, since 1598 - the Russian Tsar. The personality is interesting, original, standing out among others. Perhaps that is why Russian writers tried to embody his image in their works. How did Alexander Pushkin get this image?

The theme of the tragedy, which runs like a red thread through all the pages, is the king and the people. Boris Godunov is shown in the work precisely as a simple person, and as a tsar, a great ruler. This is how the author shows his versatility, his personal qualities. Initially, the image seems to be positive: the desire to make the people happy and satisfied, a great mind, a strong will. He is sincere, emotional, but despite this, he remains a wise and experienced politician. However, politicians are characterized by coldness and intransigence…

It would seem - an ideal person, a good politician, what else do you need? But the people do not like the king. And the reason for the dislike is very simple. Having a powerful mind, a strong will and a lot of positive character traits, Boris Godunov made one fatal mistake that crossed it all out. He decided to stick to autocracy. Thus, all power was in the hands of the king. He fought against the well-born boyars and assigned the peasants to the landowners. Such a policy a priori could not please the common people.

But the worst thing that aroused distrust among everyone was that Boris Godunov became tsar illegally. Not by succession, but by crime.

The murder of the young Tsarevich Dmitry causes great mental suffering to Boris. But this is not the root of all his problems. Boris was a tsar at a crossroads. Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin revealed all the personal qualities, all the emotional experiences of this person. Made the image "alive" and "breathing".

The death of this man is due to the rejection of society, not a single class of the people considered him theirs. He withstood the revolution in his soul, but failed to carry out the revolution in society. The people saw in him a despot who is trying to kill his people. All the good deeds of the tsar were perceived by the people only as an attempt to hide their rottenness, to splurge.

So Pushkin showed readers that the reason for the death of this man was the loss of faith.

Composition Boris Godunov

The inner world of Godunov is shown to us freely and many-sidedly. He is represented as a ruler and sincere family man.

The ruler is endowed with numerous positive character traits. He has a high level of knowledge, a powerful will, mindfulness, aspiration. Godunov is a qualified politician, he sensibly takes into account the disposition of the highest ranks towards him, is aware of the difficult situation within the state and provides reasonable recommendations to his own son in a death will.

Despite all this, the population ceases to show sympathy for the sovereign. Boris is an adherent of autocracy, which has its roots in Young Russia since the time of Ivan III. Godunov chose the political activity of Ivan IV - the concentration of the whole state only in the hands of the sovereign. He also begins to wage a political struggle with the boyars themselves. Its support is the service nobility, as in Ivan IV. Godunov does not stop the political activity of the rulers of the capital regarding the people, Boris made efforts to destroy the possibility of the peasants to transfer from one owner to another, which tied them to their masters.

Such a strategy of Boris increases the initially suspicious, and then the aggressive disposition of the country.

However, Boris stands out among all those who preceded him in that he took the throne by committing murder. In the 17th century, Godunov was considered the murderer of Dmitry the Prince, the offspring of Ivan IV. Karamzin assessed Godunov's misfortune as the result of his deed: the Lord taught Boris a lesson because of the murder of the baby prince.

Dmitry's murder inflicts sincere suffering on the tsar, increases the people's antipathy towards him, but this is not the main reason for the dramatic fate. Boris's death is determined by social factors, by the battle of class forces. Not only the boyars, Cossacks, Poles, but also the population went to war with him.

The people abandoned the king and then rebelled, because they saw him as a tyrant who did not worry about the welfare of the people, only aggravated his situation, enslaving the peasants.

Thus, Pushkin demonstrates the main reason for the tragedy of Godunov, he found himself without honor, sympathy and help from the people.

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The image of Boris Godunov

The main theme of the tragedy - the tsar and the people - determined the important place that Pushkin assigned to Boris Godunov in his play.

The image of Boris Godunov is revealed widely and diversified. Boris is shown both as a tsar and as a family man; his various spiritual qualities are noted.

Boris is endowed with many positive traits. Attractive are his great mind, powerful will, responsiveness, desire "to calm his people in contentment, in glory." As a tender father, he sincerely mourns the grief of his daughter, shocked by the unexpected death of her fiancé:

What, Ksenia, what is my dear?

The brides are already a sad widow!

You keep crying about the dead fiance ...

Innocent, why are you suffering? "

As a person who deeply understands the benefits of education, he rejoices at the success of his son in science:

Learn my son, science cuts

We experience a fast-flowing life ...

Learn, my son, and easier and clearer -

Sovereign labor you will comprehend.

Boris is an experienced politician, he soberly takes into account the attitude of the boyars towards him, understands the whole difficult situation inside the country of his time and gives reasonable advice to his son in his dying will. Having betrothed his daughter to a Swedish prince, he thinks about strengthening the ties of Russia with the Western European states.

Despite all these qualities, the people do not like the king. Boris Godunov is a typical representative of the autocracy that began to take shape in Muscovite Russia from the time of Ivan III and reached its peak under Otherwise IV. Boris will continue the policy of Ivan IV - the concentration of all state power in the hands of the king. He continues the fight against the noble boyars and. like Ivan IV, he relies in this struggle on the service nobility. Appointing Basmanov as commander of the troops, Boris tells him: "I will send you to command them: I will put not the clan, but the mind, into governors." Boris continues the policy of the Moscow tsars in relation to the people: “Only by severity can we vigilantly restrain the people. So thought John (III), the calmer of storms, a reasonable autocrat, so thought the hundred and fierce grandson (Ivan IV). He continues the policy of enslaving the peasants, he "Yuryev's laziness planned to destroy", that is, to destroy the right of the peasants to pass from one landowner to another and thereby finally fix the peasants to the landowners.

Such a feudal policy of Boris strengthens at first the distrustful, and then the hostile attitude of the people towards him.

But Boris differs from his predecessors in that he became king through crime, and not through legitimate succession to the throne. In the 17th century, as some writers of that time say, Boris Godunov was considered the murderer of Tsarevich Demetrius, son of Ivan IV. Karamzin was of the same opinion. Karamzin considered the very tragedy of Boris as a consequence of his crime: God punished Boris for the murder of the infant prince.

Pushkin, "resurrecting the past century in all its truth", also

draws Boris as the murderer of Dimitri. But, in contrast

writers of the 17th century and Karamzin, he is not by this crime

explains the unhappy reign of Boris and the

failure to establish the royal Godunov dynasty.

The murder of Demetrius causes Boris mental anguish, increases the hostility of the people towards him, but this is not the main reason for his tragic fate. The death of Boris is due to social causes, the struggle of class forces. The boyars, the Don Cossacks, the Polish gentry, and most importantly, the people opposed him. Gavrila Pushkin tells Basmanov that the Pretender is strong not by "Polish help" and not by the Cossacks, but by "the opinion of the people." The people rebelled against Godunov, and this is the main reason for the death of Boris, since the people are the main, decisive force of history.

The people turned away from Boris and then rebelled against him because they saw in him a despot who not only did not care about the welfare of the people, but, on the contrary, worsened their situation by enslaving the peasantry; saw in him the murderer of the prince; considered all his "good deeds" and "generosity" as "a means to restrain confusion and rebellion."

So Pushkin shows that the main reason for the tragedy of Boris is that he lost the respect, love and support of the people.

Pushkin depicts Godunov as criminal because the usurpation of the throne was a common phenomenon, and historical generalizations stood behind a single case. However, the poet would never have shown Godunov as criminal if he himself were not deeply convinced of his guilt. Was Godunov really guilty of the death of the nine-year-old Tsarevich Dmitry? Historians to this day cannot give an answer to this question with accuracy, because the traces of the crime were so skillfully hidden, if it really was committed. Of course, it is not because Pushkin portrays Godunov as criminal that he follows the version of N.M. Karamzin, who did not even doubt that the atrocity was committed “by the will of Boris Godunov”: “the ruler reached the throne by villainy”, “... His conscience tormented him, and hope was eclipsed forever or until a new villainy, even more terrible for the villain! » Drawing a picture of what was happening, Karamzin accompanies it with his psychological commentary: “The sexton of the Cathedral Church ... sounded the alarm, and all the streets were filled with people, alarmed, amazed; fled to the sound of the bell; they looked at smoke, flames, thinking that the palace was on fire; broke into its gates, saw the prince dead on the ground; beside him lay his mother and nurse unconscious; but the names of the villains have already been spoken by them.” "Uglich ... was deserted forever, in memory of Borisov's terrible anger at the bold detractors of his deeds."

"Villainy", "crime", "villain" - words with this root are in Pushkin's tragedy next to the words "terrible", "horror". This neighborhood has a special meaning: where there is "crime", there is "horror".

When Godunov was just assuming the throne, the boyars were amazed at how skillfully he played the role of someone not involved in what happened in Uglich. The strength of character and endurance of Boris surprised even Shuisky: “He looked into my eyes as if he was right ...” Shuisky is also convinced that Boris's refusal from the throne is a pretense. The game of Boris Godunov is even more refined when he first appears in front of his entourage. The king needs to show people that he is sincere with them - his one confession means so much: “The soul is naked.”

Not only from ambitious goals did Godunov want to take the throne, not only selfish intentions led him. Godunov outlined plans for extensive state reforms. And he really did a lot. Strengthened the power of the Russian state, its borders. But no matter what Godunov did, no matter how hard he tried to do good, the people saw in him the cause of all the troubles and misfortunes that happened to anyone and anywhere:

Whoever dies, I am the secret killer of all:

I hastened Theodore's death,

I poisoned my sister the queen -

A humble nun... that's all me!

“All I…” - the king reproaches people for injustice. There is bitterness in his words. But the colors are, of course, thickened by them: a terrible burden lies on the soul of Boris. Those around him see him immersed in heavy thoughts. Gloom is Godunov's usual state of mind: no joy on his face, no smile. The sixth year of Godunov's reign has already begun, and a sense of horror from what was once perfect seizes the most guilty person. Suffering, the cry of the soul are heard in his words: "... the boys are bloody in the eyes", "pitiful is the one in whom the conscience is not clear."

Tormented by remorse, the suffering Tsar Boris tries to find solace in turning to otherworldly forces, in divination and divination. He also seeks support in religion. Even his daughter Godunov talks about his guilt, although he does not reveal what exactly it consists of. After the recognition of Ksenia Godunov dies. Godunov confesses the crime only to himself, only when he is left alone with his conscience. In the loneliness of suffering - the strength of Godunov's spirit, but also the tragedy of his human destiny.

For several years, the character of Boris Godunov has changed. If, assuming the throne, Godunov was impenetrable to those around him, then over the years his will is broken. Involuntarily, the king begins to blurt out what torments his soul.

The image and character of Boris Godunov in the tragedy Boris Godunov

The main theme of the tragedy - the tsar and the people - determined the important place that Pushkin assigned to Boris Godunov in his play.

The image of Boris Godunov is revealed widely and diversified: Boris is shown both as a tsar and as a family man; his various spiritual qualities are noted.

Boris is endowed with many positive traits. ( This material will help to correctly write on the topic The image and character of Boris Godunov in the tragedy Boris Godunov. The summary does not make it possible to understand the whole meaning of the work, therefore this material will be useful for a deep understanding of the work of writers and poets, as well as their novels, short stories, stories, plays, poems.) Attractive are his great mind, powerful will, responsiveness, desire "to calm his people in contentment, in glory." As a tender father, he sincerely mourns the grief of his daughter, shocked by the unexpected death of her fiancé.

What, Xenia, what, my dear?

The brides are already a sad widow!

You keep crying about the dead groom. . .

Innocent, why are you suffering?

As a person who deeply understands the benefits of education, he rejoices at his son's success in science.

Learn, my son, science shortens Us the experiences of a fleeting life...

Learn, my son, and you will comprehend the sovereign work more easily and clearly.

Boris is an experienced politician, he soberly takes into account the attitude of the boyars towards him, understands the whole difficult situation inside the country in his time and gives reasonable advice to his son in his dying will. Having betrothed his daughter to a Swedish prince, he thinks about strengthening the ties of Russia with the Western European states.

Despite all these qualities, the people do not like the king. Boris Godunov is a typical representative of the autocracy that began to take shape in Muscovite Russia from the time of Ivan III and reached its peak under Ivan IV. Boris continues the policy of Ivan IV - the concentration of all state power in the hands of the king. He continues the struggle against the well-born boyars and, like Ivan IV, relies in this struggle on the service nobility. Appointing Basmanov as commander of the troops, Boris tells him: "I will send you to command them: I will put not the clan, but the mind, into governors." Boris continues the policy of the Moscow tsars in relation to the people: “Only by severity can we vigilantly restrain the people. So thought John (III), the calmer of storms, a reasonable autocrat, so did his fierce grandson (Ivan IV). He continues the policy of enslaving the peasants, he "planned to destroy St. George's Day", that is, to destroy the right of the peasants to move from one landowner to another and thereby finally secure the peasants to the landlords

Such a feudal policy of Boris strengthens at first the distrustful, and then the hostile attitude of the people towards him.

Pushkin, "resurrecting the past century in all its truth," also draws Boris as the murderer of Demetrius. But, in contrast to the writers of the 17th century and Karamzin, he does not explain the unfortunate reign of Boris and his failure to found the royal dynasty of the Godunovs by this crime.

The murder of Demetrius causes Boris mental anguish, increases the hostility of the people towards him, but this is not the main reason for his tragic fate. The death of Boris is due to social causes, the struggle of class forces. The boyars, the Don Cossacks, the Polish gentry came out to fight him, but most importantly, the people were against him. Gavrila Pushkin tells Basmanov that the Pretender is strong not by "Polish help" and not by Cossacks, but by "popular opinion." The people rebelled against Godunov, and this is the main reason for the death of Boris, since the people are the main, decisive force of history.

The people turned away from Boris and then rebelled against him because they saw in him a despot who not only did not care about the welfare of the people, but, on the contrary, worsened their situation by enslaving the peasantry; saw in him the murderer of the prince; considered all his "good deeds" and "bounties" as "a means to restrain confusion and rebellion."

So Pushkin shows that the main reason for the tragedy of Boris is that he lost the respect, love and support of the people.

Noting in the soul of Boris Godunov the main feature - “ambition”, Pushkin, following the romantic playwrights, did not limit himself to this one feature, he gave a comprehensive coverage of his soul, describing him as a person in general and as a ruler.

Boris, as a person, is a truly dramatic person, because good and evil simply and truthfully mixed up in his heart: he is not a one-sided pseudo-classical villain, and not romantic, with a beautiful pose inherent in him, he is just an unhappy person, whom only passion and chance pushed to a crime. He arouses pity in us because there is much good in him: from the day he committed the crime, his conscience torments him; this terrible mental struggle testifies to the incorruptibility of his nature, that he atones for his crime over the course of many years ... And this slow, painful lynching disarms anyone who would like to treat Godunov strictly as a criminal. In addition, everyone is captivated by his cordiality in relations with the people, with his family.

Boris Godunov

Boris as ruler

Indifferent, morally, but, in any case, captivating qualities of the soul of Boris Godunov were energy, courage, a bright mind. These are all virtues precious to a "ruler". And, indeed, as a ruler, he stands high: he reveals the knowledge of the human heart, the ability to manage people, an understanding of the true needs of the fatherland: he respects education, stands for rapprochement with Western culture, and strongly speaks out against “parochialism”. But all these good qualities of the “ruler” did not help him make Russia happy: neither his bright mind nor his worldly dexterity helped him, he does not have a single ally: both heaven and people, simple and noble, Russians and Poles, all and everyone is against him.

Boris as a criminal

All his administrative talents turn out to be as useless to him as to Shakespeare's Macbeth. Richly gifted by nature, with a broad outlook on life, power-hungry and ambitious, but without an admixture of mercenary egoism, loving his homeland from the bottom of his heart and wishing her well-being and prosperity, resolute and energetic, Boris reached the throne, guided by the principle: "the end justifies the means." The immorality of this principle destroys him.

Reasons for the fall of Boris

The people condemned in his person the criminal who killed Tsarevich Dmitry. The people did not let Boris buy themselves, and Godunov was unable to suppress his feelings of anger towards this “ungrateful mob”, he was unable to understand that there can be no place for a petty selfish feeling of resentment where fate pronounces its inexorable sentence. Under the influence of this feeling, he becomes suspicious, gloomy, even severe. Executions, torture, espionage - this is what Boris resorts to to strengthen his vacillating throne. From the former, broad and bright, understanding of his position as "the king - the servant of the people", he moves on to selfish aspirations to keep the throne for his son. In his dying speech, he gives his son advice on how to trick his subjects more cunningly.

Boris's children died as a redemptive sacrifice for their father's crimes, it was not the deceit of the people and the boyars, not the impostor that ruined his work, the deceit succeeded only as an instrument of that formidable force with which Godunov did not get along. And the imposture of False Dmitry, according to Pushkin, was clear to everyone. Prisoner, to Otrepiev's question:

“Well, how do they judge me in your camp?”

answers:

“And they talk about your mercy,
What are you, they say, (be not angry!), And a thief,
And well done ... ".