In 1820s St. Petersburg, artistocrat Eugene Onegin inherits a large estate in the countryside. There he meets his neighbor Lensky and Lensky's fiancee Olga. When Onegin first sees Olga's older sister, Tatyana, he is somewhat interested but coldly rejects her heart felt love letter. Lensky, misinterpreting the situation, thinks Onegin has designs on his fiancee and challenges his friend to a duel. Onegin ends up killing Lensky, and leaves the countryside for six years. When Onegin finally returns he encounters a newly mannered Tatyana, now in a marriage of convenience. Onegin falls in love with Tatyana, and ardently pursues her, with devastating consequences.