In the house of Ivan Petrovich Shuisky, in the presence of many clergymen and some boyars, they decide to divorce Fyodor Ioannovich with the tsarina, Godunova’s sister, thanks to whom, by all accounts, Boris is kept. They make up a paper, where, remembering the barrenness of the queen and the infancy of Demetrius, they ask the king to enter into a new marriage. Golovin hints at Shuisky about the possibility of putting Demetrius in place of Fedor, but receives a stern rebuff. Princess Mstislavskaya carries guests around, drinks Fedor’s health. Shakhovsky, groom of Mstislavskaya, matchmaker Volokhov calls the place of secret meeting. Ivan Petrovich sends a petition to the Metropolitan, lamenting the need to destroy the queen. Fedyuk Starkov, his butler, reports on what Godunov has seen. Having received from Uglich information about Golovin’s relationship with Nagimi and seeing a threat to his power, he announces to his supporters, Lup-Kleshnin and Prince Turenin, the decision to reconcile with Shuisky. Fyodor arrives, complaining about a bucked horse. Tsarina Irina appears, whom Fedor mischievously reports about the beauty Mstislavskaya, whom he saw in the church, and immediately assures the Tsarina that she is more beautiful for him than everyone else. Godunov speaks of a desire to come to terms with Shuisky, and the tsar gladly takes up the matter.

Fedor announces his intention to reconcile Godunov with Shuisky and asks for help from Metropolitan Dionysius and other clergy. Dionysius accuses Godunov of oppressing the church, lenient to heretics and resuming the collection of taxes, from which the church was freed. Godunov presents him with protective letters and reports on the persecution of heresy undertaken. The king is asking for support from Irina and the boyars. Accompanied by popular enthusiasm, Ivan Petrovich Shuisky comes. Fedor reproaches him for not visiting the Duma, Shuisky is discouraged by the impossibility of assenting to Godunov. Fyodor, remembering the Scriptures and calling clergymen for witnesses, speaks of the benefits of reconciliation, and Godunov, obedient to him, offers Shuisky consent. Shuisky reproaches him for not wanting to share state administration, which John bequeathed to five boyars: Zakharyin (deceased), Mstislavsky (forcefully tonsured), Belsky (exiled), Godunov and Shuisky. Godunov, justifying himself, speaks of Shuisky’s arrogance, that he used the sole power to the benefit of Russia, which is also proved by; he adds that the difficult task of putting a frustrated state in order was just Shuysky. And when Ivan Petrovich calls his supporter Metropolitan, he reports on Godunov’s actions in favor of the church and persuades Shuisky to peace. Irina, showing her embroidered cover for the Pskov shrine, admits that this is her prayer vow for the salvation of Shuisky, once besieged by Lithuanians in Pskov. An excited Shuisky is ready to forget his former enmity, but demands from Godunov security guarantees for his associates. Godunov swears and kisses the cross. They invite the elected from the crowd brought by Shuisky. Fyodor speaks with the old man and does not know how to stop him, in his nephew he recognizes the merchant Krasilnikov, who was amusing him recently with a bear fight, recalls his brother Golub, who defeated Shakhovsky in fisticuffs - Godunov and Shuisky did not immediately manage to return the tsar to what electors were called for . Shuisky announces a reconciliation with Godunov, the merchants are worried (“You are reconciling our heads”), Shuisky is annoyed by his distrust of the person who has just sworn on the cross. Merchants ask for protection from Godunov, the king, but he sends them to Boris. Boris quietly orders to write down the names of the merchants.

At night in the garden of Shuysky Princess Mstislavskaya and Vasilisa Volokhova wait for Shakhovsky. He comes, talks about love, about the impatience with which the wedding awaits, laughs her and jokes with her. Krasilnikov comes running, letting in, Shakhovsky hides, calls for Ivan Petrovich and reports that everyone who was with the tsar was captured by order of Godunov. Shocked Shuisky orders Moscow to rise to Godunov. He had hinted at Dimitri Golovin abruptly breaking off and, saying that Boris had tricked himself into deceit, he went to the tsar. The remaining boyars, meanwhile, are discussing the petition, looking for a new queen. Vasily Shuisky calls Princess Mstislavskaya. Her brother did not immediately decide, wanting to find at least a reason for a quarrel with Shakhovsky. While he hesitates, Golovin writes the name of the princess into a petition. Shakhovskaya appears, declaring that she will not give up the bride. The princess and Volokhova are also found. With a general cry, mutual threats and reproaches, Shakhovskaya grabs a letter and runs away. Godunov presents to the tsar state papers, the contents of which he does not go into, but agrees with Boris’s decisions. Tsarina Irina speaks of a letter from Uglich from the Dowager Queen with a request to return with Dimitri to Moscow. Fyodor was entrusting the case to Boris, but Irina demanded the solution of the "family affair" from him; Fedor argues with Boris and is annoyed by his tenacity. Shuisky comes, complains about Godunov. He does not unlock, explaining that the merchants were not taken for the past, but for trying to upset the world between him and Shuisky. The tsar is ready to forgive Godunov, believing that they simply did not understand each other, but the relentless demand to leave the prince in Uglich is finally angry with the tsar. Godunov says that he is giving way to Shuisky, Fedor begs him to stay, Shuisky, wounded by the tsar’s behavior, leaves. Kleshnin brings Golovin Nagim's letter sent from Uglich, Godunov shows it to the tsar, demanding that Shuisky be taken into custody and, possibly, executed. In case of failure, he threatens to leave. Shocked Fedor after long hesitation refuses Godunov’s services.

Ivan Petrovich Shuisky consoles Princess Mstislavskaya: he will not allow her to marry the tsar and hopes that Shakhovskaya will not inform them. Having sent the princess, he accepts the boyars and the fugitives Krasilnikov and Dove, and, assuming the removal of the impoverished Fedor and the enthronement of Demetrius, defines everyone's tasks. The estranged Godunov, sitting at home, asks Kleshnin about Volokhova and repeats many times, “so that she would whore the prince”. Kleshnin sends Volokhov to UGLICH a new mother, orders him to be protected, and hints that if the prince suffering from a paddy will kill himself, they will not ask her. Meanwhile, Fedor can not figure out the papers presented to him. Kleshnin arrives and reports that Boris became ill with frustration, and Shuisky must immediately be imprisoned for his intention to elevate Demetrius to the throne. Fedor does not believe. Shuisky enters, to whom Fedor speaks of a denunciation and asks him to justify himself. The prince refuses, the king insists, Kleshnin pushes. Shuisky confesses to rebellion. Fyodor, frightened that Godunov would punish Shuisky for treason, declares that he himself ordered to put the prince on the throne, and forces out the shocked Shuisky from the room. Shakhovskaya bursts into the royal chambers and asks to return the bride to him. Fedor, having seen the signature of Ivan Petrovich Shuisky, cries and does not listen to Irina’s arguments about the absurdity of the paper. Protecting Irina from insults, he signs Borisov’s order, terrifying both her and Shakhovsky. On the bridge over the river the old man riots the people for Shuisky, the hussar sings about his valor. A messenger rides with the news of the advance of the Tatars. Prince Turenin with archers leads Shuisky to prison. The people being beaten up by the old man wants to free Shuisky, but he speaks of his guilt before the “holy” king and that they deserve punishment.

Kleshnin reports to Godunov that the Shuiskys and their supporters are imprisoned and introduces Vasily Ivanovich Shuisky. He turns the matter as if he had started a petition for the good of Godunov. Understanding that Shuisky is in his hands, Godunov lets him go. Tsarina Irina comes to intercede for Ivan Petrovich. Godunov, realizing that Shuisky will not stop arguing with him, is adamant. In the square in front of the cathedral, beggars speak of a change in the metropolitan who is objectionable to Godunov, about the execution of merchants who stood behind Shuisky. Tsarina Irina leads Mstislavskaya to ask for Shuisky. Fedor comes out of the cathedral, having served a requiem for Tsar Ivan. The princess rushes at his feet. Fedor sends Prince Turenin for Shuisky. But Turenin reports that Shuisky strangled himself at night, blames himself for overlooking (because he beat off the crowd brought to the prison by Shakhovsky, and beat off only by shooting Shakhovsky). Fedor rushes at Turenin, accusing him of killing Shuisky, and threatens him with execution. The messenger brings a letter from Uglich about the death of the prince. The shocked king wants to find out the truth himself. There comes a message about the approach of the Khan and an early siege of Moscow. Godunov offers to send Kleshnin and Vasily Shuisky, and Fedor is confident in Godunov's innocence. Princess Mstislavskaya says she intends to get her hair cut. Fyodor, on the advice of his wife, is going to transfer the whole burden of government to Boris and, remembering his intention to “agree on everything, smooth everything out”, mourns his fate and his royal duty.