Alexander Pushkin's poem/novel tells the story of two sets of lovers. Eugene Onegin, the hardened socialite, rejects the love of passionate Tatyana Larin, while his friend, poet and romantic Vladimir Lensky, falls head over heels for her sister Olga. Onegin's annoyance at Vladimir leads him to pretend to seduce Olga, and Vladimir challenges Eugene to a duel to revenge his love. Eugene kills Vladimir. In his sorrow, he leaves his country estate forever. Years later, Eugene meets Tatyana, now a confident, cold beauty, married to a prince. He falls madly in love with her; however, although she still loves him, Tatyana must reject Eugene as he rejected her years ago.

Eugene Onegin is a socialite whose hobby is seducing women. He preys on young beauties at all the Moscow social events, understanding all the arts of attracting them. However, Eugene becomes bored with this meaningless seduction. While he's still a young man, Eugene's uncle dies, leaving Eugene a country estate. He goes to live in the country as a recluse, bored with everything, including country life.

Eugene makes friends with his neighbor, Vladimir Lensky, a poet. The two friends spend their evenings in conversation, and Eugene curbs his caustic wit in the face of Vladimir's romanticism. Vladimir is madly in love with a young local girl named Olga Larin, and he writes poetry that sings her praises.

When Vladimir brings Eugene to meet the Larins, Olga's solemn, shy sister Tatyana falls in love with the brooding Eugene. She is tortured by her feelings and finally writes Eugene a love letter, laying her feelings out before him. Eugene, though, is disillusioned with love, and he rejects Tatyana, warning her not to be so open with her feelings lest a young man take advantage of her. Tatyana is miserable.

Vladimir convinces Eugene to come with him to Tatyana's name-day celebration, and when they get there, Eugene finds that it's a huge social event with all the locals in attendance. Tatyana is visibly disturbed at Eugene's presence, and Eugene curses Vladimir for bringing him. He plans to revenge himself on Vladimir, and later, when the dancing begins, Eugene stays by Olga's side. He manages to monopolize Olga's time and attention, dancing every dance with her. Vladimir is enraged and leaves the dance in a huff.

Vladimir challenges Eugene to a duel, and Eugene accepts. The two men meet, and Eugene shoots his friend dead. Horrified at what he's done, Eugene leaves his country estate forever. He travels around the world, trying to forget his sorrow. Meanwhile, Tatyana spends her time in Eugene's library, learning about him from his notes in his books and brooding over her lost love. Olga, after briefly mourning her lover, marries a soldier and goes off with him to start a new life.

Tatyana, however, rejects all offers of marriage. Her mother finally brings her to Moscow to find Tatyana a husband. Two years later, Eugene returns to find Tatyana married to a prince. He falls instantly in love with this self-possessed, confident, cool woman. Initially, Tatyana ignores all Eugene's letters and advances, and Eugene goes into seclusion again. Finally, he goes to visit his love and finds Tatyana crying over one of his letters. Tatyana confesses that she still loves Eugene, but she is now another man's wife. She must reject him, as Eugene rejected her so long ago.