The opera centers on the psychological disintegration of Tsar Boris Godunov, who is haunted by the guilt of his role in the death of the rightful heir to the Russian throne. Driven by the ambition to maintain power and the fear of divine retribution, Boris faces internal turmoil and external threats from a pretender claiming to be the murdered prince. The narrative follows a non-linear structure, focusing on key historical episodes that illustrate the suffering of the Russian people and the instability of the monarchy. The protagonist must navigate the political machinations of the boyars and the religious influence of the church while his own sanity fractures under the weight of his secret crime.

Discussion often centers on the stark realism of the libretto and its departure from traditional operatic conventions of the era. Readers and critics frequently highlight the effectiveness of the choral writing in establishing the atmosphere of a nation in crisis. The balance between the intimate, internal struggle of Boris and the expansive, public scenes of social unrest is a frequent topic of analysis. Many observers note that the work serves as a profound study of power, guilt, and the relationship between a ruler and the governed. The stylistic choices made by Mussorgsky continue to be examined for their influence on the development of modern musical drama.