Boris Godunov and Little Tragedies

The collected dramatic works of the father of modern Russian literature

In a tale of intrigue, deception, murder, and retribution, Boris Godunov charts the rise and fall of an ambitious prince who cannot avoid facing the consequences of his dark past. Based on the historical figure of the nobleman Boris Godunov, who seized power from Ivan the Terrible’s successor in 16th-century Russia, and partly inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Alexander Pushkin’s 1825 play showcases the author’s mastery of verse and dramatic form. Also included are Pushkin’s celebrated four Little Tragedies: Mozart and Salieri, The Miserly Knight, The Stone Guest, and A Feast During the Plague; as well as pictures and an extensive section about the author's life and works.