How did William Shakespeare influence Aleksandr Pushkin’s Boris Godunov?

Aleksandr Pushkin’s historical tragedy Boris Godunov was significantly influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, particularly his histories and tragedies.1

Pushkin utilized Shakespeare’s plays as a model for "folk-principles," aiming to create a work that was universal in its appeal and written "for the people". The influence manifested in several key ways:1

• Dramatic Structure: Pushkin broke away from the rigid Neoclassicism of the French theatre, adopting Shakespeare’s bold, free treatment of character and episodic construction.1
• Characterization and Realism: Pushkin viewed Shakespeare as his master in achieving "simplicity and truth to nature." He aimed for a naturalness of dialogue and convincing situations, utilizing both conversational prose and a flexible five-foot iambic line.1
• Thematic Scope: Like Shakespeare’s histories, the play navigates between epic and drama, balancing the political and historical planes with psychological depth. It explores the relationship between the ruling classes and the masses, emphasizing the "judgment of the people".12

While Pushkin lacked the heightened poetic passion found in Shakespeare’s tragedies, he successfully integrated Shakespearean techniques to create a revolutionary work in Russian drama.1