"Tsar Fedor Ioannovich" - a play created in 1868. This is part of the dramatic trilogy, which tells about the Time of Troubles, about the conflict of power and good. This play is the second in the trilogy. For 30 years, the work that A. Tolstoy created (Tsar Fedor Ioannovich) was banned by censorship. The Moscow Art Theater opened with this particular drama in 1898.
The theme of the trilogy and its disclosure in each of the parts
The main theme of the trilogy is how the monarchy leads the state to turmoil. Ivan the Terrible is a tyrannical king uniting the country. He mercilessly punishes and kills. This topic is central in the first part of the trilogy of interest to us. Fedor is his son. The surname of Tsar Fedor Ioannovich is Rurikovich (his portrait is presented above). He is the last sovereign of this dynasty. After Fedor ascends the throne, he decides to rule in accordance with Christian regulations, and not like his father. This is stated precisely in the play Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich. And the third tells how Boris Rodunov ruled “rootless”. After his ascension to the throne, the Rurik dynasty ceased, since Tsarevich Dimitri was killed. Godunov (pictured below) enters the throne in order to rule wisely. All this is discussed in the third part.
The idea that rulers are held hostage to power goes through the entire trilogy. Regardless of whether they are rational, kind or cruel, sovereigns cannot rule virtuously. The personality of Fedor seems especially tragic. At the beginning of the reign, he wants to "smooth everything out", "to agree all." And as a result of the reign, it becomes clear that he could not distinguish "truth from untruth." We invite you to get acquainted with this ruler.
"Tsar Fedor Ioannovich": a summary
In the house of Shuisky Ivan Petrovich in the presence of some boyars and many clergy, we are talking about the divorce of Fedor Ioannovich with his wife, Boris Godunov’s sister. According to all, it is thanks to her that Boris is holding on. The paper indicates the infancy of Demetrius and the barrenness of the Queen, asking Fyodor Ioannovich to enter into a new marriage.
Golovin receives a severe rebuff, which hints to the tsar that he could put Fyodor Demetrius instead. Princess Mstislavskaya takes care of the guests. Everyone drinks for Fedor’s health. The bridegroom of Mstislavskaya, Shakhovsky, matchmaker Volokhov indicates the place of a secret meeting.
Petition to the Metropolitan, information from Uglich
Further it is told that Ivan Petrovich sent a petition to the Metropolitan, while lamenting that he was forced to destroy the queen. His butler Fedyuk Starkov informs Godunov of what he saw. Having received information from Uglich that Golovin is in a conspiracy with Nagimi, and seeing that his government is in danger, he announces to his supporters, Prince Turenin and Lup-Kleshnin, his intention to reconcile with Shuisky.
Godunov’s intention to make peace with Shuisky
Irina appears, whom Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich says about what he saw in the church of Mstislavskaya. He assures the queen that for him she is still more beautiful than all. Godunov announces his intention to make peace with Shuisky. The king is happy to take up this matter.
Fedor asks for help in the matter of reconciliation from Metropolitan Dionysius, as well as from some other priests. Dionysius says that Godunov is condescending to heretics and oppresses the church. He also renewed taxes from which the clergy were exempted. Godunov presents Dionysius with protective letters and says that heretics were persecuted. Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich asks the boyars and Irina to support him.
Goudnov's conversation with Shuisky
Shuisky Ivan Petrovich comes, who is accompanied by the enthusiasm of the people. Fedor reproaches him for not visiting the Duma. Ivan Petrovich is discouraged by the fact that he could not assent to Godunov. Remembering the Scriptures, Fedor calls the clergy to witness. He says reconciliation is good. Godunov, obedient to him, offers consent to Shuisky. The latter reproaches him for not wanting to share governance. But John bequeathed the state to five boyars: forcibly tonsured Mstislavsky, dead Zakharyin, exiled Belsky, Shuisky and Godunov. Justified, Godunov says that Shuisky was arrogant, that he became the sole ruler in order to benefit Russia. Godunov adds that only Shuiskys do not want to put in order an upset country. The metropolitan notes that Godunov did a lot for the church, and inclines to reconcile Shuisky.
Reconciliation reported to people, scene with merchants
Showing the cover for the shrine embroidered by her, Irina admits that this is her vow for the salvation of Ivan Petrovich, who was once besieged in Pskov by the Lithuanians. Shuisky is ready to forget the enmity, but requires security guarantees for his associates from Godunov. He swears. They invite the elected from the crowd brought by Ivan Petrovich. Shuisky tells the people about reconciliation with Boris Godunov. Merchants are unhappy that they put up their heads. Distrust of the man who had just sworn annoyed Shuisky. Merchants ask the tsar to protect them from Godunov, but he sends them to Boris. Godunov asks to write down their names.
Meeting Mstislavskaya with Shakhovsky
Princess Mstislavskaya, together with Vasilisa Volokhova, wait for Shakhovsky at night in the garden. He comes, reports on his love and how impatiently he is waiting for the wedding. Comes Krasilnikov. Shakhovsky, letting him in, is hiding. He begins to call Ivan Petrovich and says that everyone who was with the tsar was captured by Godunov’s order. Shuisky is shocked. He orders to raise Moscow to Godunov.
Discussion petition
Boyars discuss petition, reflecting on who will be the new queen. V. Shuisky proposes the candidacy of Mstislavskaya. Golovin writes her name in a petition. Enters Shakhovskaya. He says he will not give up the bride. Volokhov and the princess appear. Shakhovskaya, with mutual reproaches and threats, grabs a letter and leaves.
Godunov gives the king the paper. He does not go into their content, but agrees with what Boris has decided. Irina says that the Dowager Queen wrote a letter from Uglich, asking to return to Moscow with Demetrius. Fedor wanted to entrust this matter to Boris, but Irina wants him to deal with it.
Godunov announces that he is leaving the tsar
Shuisky enters, he begins to complain about Godunov. Boris doesn't unlock. He says that the merchants are taken as an attempt to destroy the world between him and Shuisky, and not for the past. Tsar Fedor Ivanovich agrees to forgive Boris, believing that they did not understand each other. However, the sovereign is angry with Godunov's relentless demand to leave the prince in the city of Uglich. Boris says that he is leaving, giving way to Shuisky. The king pleads not to leave him. Wounded by the behavior of Fedor, Shuisky leaves.
Kleshnin brings Golovin's letter, transmitted from Uglich. Boris shows him to Fedor, demanding that Shuisky be taken into custody. He is even ready to execute him. In case of failure to comply with the order, Boris threatens to leave. Fedor is shocked. After long hesitations, he decides to abandon the advice and services of Godunov.
The idea of ​​Shuisky
Shuisky Ivan Petrovich consoles Mstislavskaya. He tells her that he will not allow her wedding with the king. Ivan Petrovich expresses the hope that Shakhovskaya will not betray their plan. Having sent Mstislavskaya, Shuisky receives the boyars, as well as the fleeing Pigeon and Krasilnikov. He thinks that soon the feeble-minded Fedor will be deposed, and Demetrius will be enthroned. Ivan Petrovich gives everyone a task.
Godunov instructs Volokhov to protect the Tsarevich
Sitting at home, the estranged Boris learns from Kleshnin about Volokhova’s life and says that she should “blunt the Tsarevich”. Kleshnin sends Volokhov to Uglich to become the new mother. He orders the Tsarevich to be protected and hints that if he destroys himself (the Tsarevich suffers from an epilepsy), they will ask her.
Shuisky confesses rebellion
Fedor, meanwhile, cannot sort out the papers provided to him. Kleshnin enters and says that Boris is sick of the disorder. It is required to immediately seize and imprison Shuisky for the fact that he intended to make Demetrius prince. Fedor does not believe this. Shuisky appears. The king informs him of the denunciation and demands excuses. He refuses to provide them. Fedor insists, and Shuisky decides to confess rebellion.
Frightened that Boris would punish Ivan Petrovich for treason, the prince declares that he himself decided to set the prince on the throne, and then expels the shocked Shuisky from the room.
Fedor signs Godunov’s decree
Shakhovsky breaks into the chambers of the sovereign. He asks to return the bride to him. Seeing Shuisky’s signature, Fedor cries and does not heed Irina’s arguments that the paper was ridiculous. Protecting Irina from resentment, Fedor signs Godunov’s decree, terrifying those who have come.
Campaigning for Shuisky
The old man raises the people, campaigning for Shuisky. Guslyar adds songs about the valor of Ivan Petrovich. A messenger arrives and reports that the Tatars are advancing. Prince Turenin, along with the archers, takes Ivan Petrovich to prison. The people, driven down by the old man, want to free him. However, Shuisky says that he is guilty before the king and that he deserved his punishment.
Kleshnin tells Godunov that the Shuyskys, as well as those who supported them, are in prison. Then he introduces Shuysky Vasily Ivanovich. He says that he started a petition supposedly for the good of Boris Godunov. Boris, realizing that he is in his hands, lets him go. Tsarina Irina enters to intercede for Shuisky Ivan Petrovich. Realizing that he will continue to argue with him, Godunov remains adamant.
Death of Shuysky and Shakhovsky
The beggars gathered in the square near the cathedral say that the objectionable Godunov was ousted and the merchants who supported Shuisky were executed. Mstislavskaya comes with Irina in order to ask for Ivan Petrovich. Fedor leaves the cathedral. He served a memorial service for Ivan. Seeing him, the princess rushes to Fedor's feet. He sends Turenin for Shuisky. However, Turenin says that Ivan Petrovich strangled himself at night. He apologizes for overlooking, as he beat off the crowd that Shakhovsky brought to prison. And he repelled her, shooting only Shakhovsky. Fedor accuses Turenin of killing Ivan Petrovich. He threatens him with execution.
The death of Tsarevich, Fedor transfers state control to Boris
A messenger arrives with the news of the death of the prince. The king is shocked. He wants to find out what happened. The news comes that the khan is approaching, and a siege threatens Moscow. Godunov invites Fedor to send Vasily Shuisky and Kleshnin. He makes sure that Boris is innocent. Mstislavskaya says she wants a haircut. On the advice of his wife, Fedor is going to transfer to Boris the whole burden of rule. He mourns his royal duty and his fate, remembering his own desire to “smooth everything out” and “agree all”.
This concludes the play "Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich." We tried to convey its summary, without missing anything important.
Stage fate of the work
The plot of this tragedy is eventful, therefore, to present it in one article is not easy. To better understand the work, it is better to watch the play "Tsar Fedor Ivanovich." Reviews of the productions of this drama in Moscow theaters (Khudozhestvenny, Maly, Komissarzhevskaya and others) have always been enthusiastic. Records of many of them have been preserved.
In May 1973, the sensational premiere of the tragedy Tsar Fedor Ioannovich took place in one of the best theaters in the capital. The Maly Theater attracted a whole constellation of luminaries to participate in its production. Boris Godunov was played by Viktor Korshunov, Fyodor - Innokenty Smoktunovsky, in the role of Ivan Shuisky was Evgeny Samoilov, in the role of Kleshnin - Viktor Khokhryakov and others. The play was enthusiastically greeted.
An interesting work was created by Alexey Tolstoy. "Tsar Fedor Ivanovich" and today is included in the repertoire of many theaters.