A summary of "Wolves and Sheep" by Alexander Ostrovsky

This comedy, created in 1875, depicts the mores of provincial society, where greed and hypocrisy disguise themselves as virtue and piety. The plot was inspired by the real-life trial of Abbess Mitrofania, accused of forgery and fraud, who was called a wolf in sheep’s clothing in court. Ostrovsky transferred this conflict to a secular setting, showing how a powerful and cynical landowner uses cunning schemes to seize control of someone else’s property.

The work has been adapted for film several times. The most famous cinematic adaptation was Igor Maslennikov’s film "Russian Money," released in 2006. In theatrical circles, one of the most iconic productions was Pyotr Fomenko’s 1992 production.

Act One: Murzavetskaya’s House

The events begin in a provincial town, in the ancient home of Meropia Davydovna Murzavetskaya. She is a sixty-five-year-old landowner who wields enormous influence over the locals. She displays a show of piety, but behind her righteous façade lies greed and a desire to control those around her. Meropia Davydovna’s estate is in disrepair, so she seeks ways to improve her financial situation.

Vukol Naumovich Chugunov, a former district court official who serves as Murzavetskaya’s loyal assistant in her shady dealings, arrives at the house. Meropiya Davydovna plans to marry her dissolute nephew Apollon to Evlampiya Nikolaevna Kupavina, a wealthy young widow who owns extensive lands. Apollon appears to be a weak-willed, hard-drinking young man devoid of any ambition, but his aunt intends to use him to seize someone else’s wealth. Chugunov, on Murzavetskaya’s instructions, prepares forged promissory notes to confuse Kupavina and force her into a position of dependence.

Meanwhile, Glafira Alekseyevna, Murzavetskaya’s poor relative, is also hatching her own plans. Tired of her dependent status as a sponger, she intends to build her own life. Glafira has her eye on Mikhail Borisovich Lynyaev, a wealthy but lazy gentleman and an honorary justice of the peace. Lynyaev is a confirmed bachelor who values peace and good food, but Glafira is determined to marry him.

Act Two: The Intrigues Gain Momentum

The action shifts to the estate of Evlampia Nikolaevna Kupavina. The widow lacks commercial acumen and is easily influenced. Kupavina discusses Murzavetskaya’s financial claims with Chugunov. The former official intimidates the young woman with imaginary debts owed by her late husband, claiming she is obligated to repay large sums. Evlampia Nikolaevna, unwilling to delve into the paperwork, is willing to give in to his demands, just to maintain peace.

Murzavetskaya and her nephew Apollon soon arrive. Meropia Davydovna acts imperiously, pressuring Kupavina with authority and reproaches. She openly hints at the necessity of a marriage between Evlampia and Apollon, calling it the only way to atone for the sins of the widow’s late husband. Apollon behaves foolishly and insolently, but Kupavina, overwhelmed by the senior landowner’s pressure, hesitates to refuse abruptly.

Glafira Alekseyevna, accompanying her relatives, wastes no time. She begins a subtle game with Lynyaev, who has come to visit Kupavina. Glafira pretends to be completely uninterested in men, wants to enter a monastery, and seeks only spiritual companionship. This apparent unapproachability intrigues the clumsy Lynyaev.

Act Three: Berkutov’s Appearance

Events continue to unfold at Kupavina’s estate. Claudius Goretsky, Chugunov’s nephew, appears. This bold young man demands money from his uncle for some work involving forgery. Chugunov tries to drive his nephew away, fearing exposure, but the nephew behaves insolently and blackmails his uncle.

The key moment comes with the news of the imminent arrival of Vasily Ivanovich Berkutov — an intelligent, calculating, and energetic landowner from St. Petersburg, a neighbor of Kupavina. Berkutov has long had his eye on the widow’s estate and herself. He possesses a keen business acumen, thinks rationally, and is not easily swayed by emotion.

Murzavetskaya, having learned of Berkutov’s possible arrival, rushes things. She forces Kupavina to sign dubious promissory notes for enormous sums, blackmailing her with forged letters that allegedly compromise Evlampia Nikolaevna’s late husband. Frightened and confused, Kupavina signs.

Glafira Alekseyevna continues her maneuvers. She lures Lynyaev on a nighttime stroll through the park, where she acts out a frightened scene. Unbeknownst to her, Lynyaev increasingly falls under the charm of the cunning girl.

Act Four: The Hidden Struggle

The arrival of Vasily Ivanovich Berkutov radically alters the balance of power. Berkutov quickly settles into the Kupavina household and begins to study the situation. He asks Evlampiya Nikolaevna to show him all the documents and papers. After examining the promissory notes and letters, Berkutov immediately spots a catch. He has sufficient legal knowledge to recognize the crude forgery concocted by Chugunov and Goretsky.

Berkutov realizes that Murzavetskaya and her accomplices have woven a net around the trusting widow. However, instead of making a fuss, he decides to resort to cunning. Berkutov intercepts Goretsky and, after promising him a substantial reward, learns all the details of the creation of the forged documents. Goretsky, readily betraying his uncle for personal gain, gives Berkutov the drafts of the forged letters.

Meanwhile, Glafira Alekseyevna carries her plan through to completion. During their next conversation, she forces Lynyaev into a position where he is forced to confess his love and propose marriage. Glafira accepts, completely winning over the confirmed bachelor. Lynyaev realizes he’s fallen into a trap, but it’s too late to retreat.

Berkutov, having gathered all the evidence, proposes to Kupavina herself. The widow, charmed by his confidence and business acumen, accepts. Berkutov now acts not just as a neighbor, but as the legal protector of his future wife’s interests.

Act Five: Revelation and Finale

All the characters gather again at Murzavetskaya’s house. Meropiya Davydovna is triumphant, confident that her plan has worked and that Kupavina’s wealth will soon be in her hands. Chugunov also anticipates a handsome reward for his efforts.

However, their celebration is interrupted by the arrival of Berkutov, Kupavina, Lynyaev, and Glafira. Berkutov takes the initiative. He takes Chugunov aside and presents him with irrefutable evidence of the forgery — drafts of forged letters received from Goretsky. Chugunov realizes the game is lost and cowardly retreats.

Then Berkutov summons Murzavetskaya herself for a conversation. While maintaining a respectful demeanor, he sternly makes it clear that all her schemes have been exposed. Berkutov offers a deal: he will destroy the incriminating documents and avoid bringing the case to trial, in exchange for Murzavetskaya dropping all financial claims against Kupavina and abandoning her plans to marry her nephew.

Meropiya Davydovna, realizing she’s facing a more powerful predator, is forced to accept the terms. She saves face in front of her guests, pretending to bless the marriages of Berkutov and Kupavina and Lynyaev and Glafira. Glafira thanks her aunt for her concern, and Lynyaev, annoyed, realizes how cleverly he’s been duped.

Apollon Murzavetsky appears at the end. He runs in with a gun and reports a ridiculous incident: his beloved dog, Tamerlane, has been eaten by wolves. This comical line brings the play to a close. Chugunov philosophically remarks that even more ingenious events have occurred before their eyes: right in broad daylight, "wolves devoured" both the rich bride Kupavina and her dowry, and the wealthy Lynyaev and his estate. Chugunov is at least glad that he and Murzavetskaya managed to survive this battle of predators.