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Khlestakov
Anton Antonovich Skvoznik-Dmukhanovsky is the town’s mayor. The mayor regularly takes bribes and steals from shopkeepers, whom he accuses of being swindlers. He’s also aware of the other local officials’ poor conduct, but he has no intention of addressing any problems with the town’s governance, because he benefits from the pervasive corruption. When he receives news that a government inspector is coming to investigate his district, the mayor is terrified that he’ll be caught and punished for his many sins. Once the mayor believes Khlestakov is the inspector, he rushes to win Khlestakov’s favor through bribery and lies. He also frantically urges Khlestakov not to listen to the shopkeepers’ complaints about him. When his wife Anna Andreyevna tells him that Khlestakov wants to marry his daughter Marya Antonovna, the mayor doesn’t believe it. Soon, however, the mayor fantasizes about moving to St. Petersburg, becoming a general, and living in high society. He’s quick to gloat over the shopkeepers and solicit congratulations from everyone as soon as he thinks his good fortune is secured. At the end of the play, his happiness turns into fury when the postmaster reveals that Khlestakov is, in fact, not the government inspector.
The Mayor Quotes in The Government Inspector
The The Government Inspector quotes below are all either spoken by The Mayor or refer to The Mayor. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 1 Quotes
I had a kind of premonition about this. All last night I dreamt about a couple of extraordinary rats—they were black and absolutely enormous. They came in, took a few sniffs and off they went.
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At the beginning of the play, the mayor informs the other town officials that a government inspector is coming to investigate them. This news reminds the mayor of a dream he had the previous night, which he believes was actually a premonition about the inspector. While the mayor’s mention of his dream seems comically odd and out of place, it offers useful insight into what the mayor thinks of the inspector. The mayor identifies the inspector with the rats from his dream, which were “extraordinary” and “absolutely enormous.” This suggests that the mayor likewise views the inspector as an “extraordinary” Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neq
I don’t need to tell you that there isn’t a man alive who hasn’t some little indiscretion on his conscience.
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Having been warned about a government inspector’s imminent arrival, the mayor defends his many misdeeds by claiming that every man has “some little indiscretion on his conscience.” The mayor implies that if everyone is guilty in some way, then it should be understandable and acceptable for him to have committed small sins too. Such reasoning illustrates how morally corrupt the mayor is. First, he downplays his crimes—which include stealing from townspeople and taking bribes—by calling them “little indiscretion[s].” This understatement suggests that the mayor has made minor mistakes in the past, when in reality the mayor continually chooses to abuse Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perfere
Hell! My sword’s scratched all over. That damned shopkeeper Abdulin knows very well the mayor’s sword’s in poor condition and still he doesn’t send me a new one.
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After the mayor decides to speak to the supposed government inspector, he asks for his sword to be brought to him. The mayor’s sword is part of his formal uniform. And it visually represents his authority, which is why he wants to wear it when he meets the inspector. However, the mayor’s sword doesn’t look impressive. It’s “scratched all over” and “in poor condition,” as the mayor complains. In its damaged state, the sword signifies that the mayor’s authority is tainted by corruption. Just like the mayor has taken poor care of his sword, he has neglected his duties and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Delenit
You watch it! You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. What did you do to that draper Chernayev, eh? He gave you two yards of cloth for a new uniform and you swiped the whole roll! You watch out! You’re taking bribes above your rank!
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While the mayor prepares to meet Khlestakov, the supposed government inspector, he orders the constable Svistunov to help clean up the town. As he does so, he also admonishes Svistunov for stealing a “whole roll” of cloth from a townsperson. The mayor’s reproach reveals that the town’s police are also corrupt. Like the town officials—such as the mayor and the judge—the constables also abuse their authority by stealing and taking bribes. However, the mayor isn’t angry simply because Svistunov accepted a bribe. Rather, the mayor is upset that Svistunov is taking bribes “above [his] rank.” First, these words suggest that Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatu
Now you listen, this is what you must do. Constable Pugovitsyn is very tall, so station him on the bridge to create a good impression. And tell them to pull down that old fence by the shoemaker’s and stick up some poles to make it look like a building site. The more we pull down the busier the mayor will appear.
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Once the mayor believes the government inspector has already arrived, he rushes to make the town more presentable for the inspector. So, he instructs the Chief of Police to set up constables around town to make “a good impression.” The mayor’s own words show that he’s only interested in improving the town’s appearance superficially. It doesn’t matter to the mayor that the constables are known for incompetency and abuses of authority. Instead, the mayor simply cares that a tall constable standing on a bridge will look good. Similarly, the mayor orders the Chief of Police to create the illusion of Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate
Act 2 Quotes
And I’m like you—I’ve no time for two-faced people. I find your frankness and cordiality most gratifying. I do confess that I ask for nothing more out of life than devotion and respect, respect and devotion.
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After the mayor invites Khlestakov to stay in his home, Khlestakov accepts gratefully and compliments the mayor’s sincerity. The irony of Khlestakov’s words is striking. Khlestakov claims he has “no time for two-faced people” without knowing how dishonest the mayor actually is. The mayor is lying to Khlestakov about not only his magnanimous spirit but also the reason for his generosity. The mayor’s hospitality isn’t motivated by “frankness” or “cordiality,” as Khlestakov believes, but instead by an ulterior motive. Through bribery, the mayor intends to win Khlestakov’s favor so that Khlestakov—as the supposed government inspector—won’t report the mayor’s corruption to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Inc
Act 3 Quotes
No, not a general, but he’s as good as one. So cultured, so dignified.
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After he returns to the mayor’s house from the inn, Dobchinsky answers Anna Andreyevna’s insistent questions about the supposed government inspector. By his description, Dobchinsky seems quite awed by Khlestakov. Dobchinsky says that Khlestakov isn’t as high-ranking as a general but is still “as good as one.” This means that Dobchinsky perceives Khlestakov as having the same gravitas as a very powerful, high-status member of the civil service. Additionally, Khlestakov appears “[so] cultured, so dignified” to Dobchinsky. In Dobchinsky’s mind, then, Khlestakov is a greatly impressive and intimidating man, and Dobchinsky spreads this impression of Khlestakov to Anna Andreyevna and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis iure. Sint qui qui.
Now, Mashenka, we have to decide what to wear. He’s a Petersburg man-about-town, so I hope he won’t laugh at us.
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After she learns that Khlestakov will be staying in the mayor’s house, Anna Andreyevna immediately wonders how she can impress the man she believes is the government inspector. Specifically, Anna is concerned about “what to wear.” Her focus on clothes and appearances underscores her vanity, shallowness, and self-centeredness. She also wants her daughter, Marya Antonovna, to look her best so Khlestakov “won’t laugh at” them. This fear of derision suggests that Anna desires Khlestakov’s acceptance, or approval. She wants to be admired and respected by other people. Like many other characters in the play, Anna displays a need for external Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Volu
Once I was even taken for the Commander-in-Chief himself. The soldiers leapt out of the guardroom and presented arms. Afterwards an officer—a great friend of mine—told me: “Well, old man, we really did think you were the Commander-in-Chief!”
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In front of the town officials and the mayor’s family, Khlestakov exaggerates about his life in St. Petersburg, claiming to be a far more important government official than he actually is. He pretends he was once mistaken “for the Commander-in-Chief himself,” someone much higher-ranking than him. Supposedly, Khlestakov made such a powerful impression that “soldiers leapt out of the guardroom” and “presented arms” to show their respect to him. Khlestakov implies that he’s so impressive that other people can’t help but honor him, even when he’s not trying to attract attention. This made-up story shows how much Khlestakov desires other Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem.
Well, the more I think about it…hell!…my head’s going round! I feel as if I were perched on top of a steeple or as if I had a noose round my neck.
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After Khlestakov brags about his luxurious, high-status life in St. Petersburg, he exits to rest, leaving the frightened mayor to decide which of Khlestakov’s statements were true and which were fanciful, drunken exaggerations. The mayor has difficulty identifying the truth, and his head starts to spin, as he complains here: “Well, the more I think about it…hell!…my head’s going round!” The mayor’s conviction that Khlestakov must be the government inspector prevents him from recognizing that Khlestakov is, in fact, a low-ranking clerk whose self-aggrandizing boasts were all false. The mayor’s self-deception has powerfully disoriented him. The mayor emphasizes how dizzying Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum est. Aperiam doloremque eum. Animi soluta perspiciatis. Ut minima autem. Modi omnis i
The whole world’s gone topsy-turvy.
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The mayor exclaims that the “whole world’s gone topsy-turvy” after he hears Khlestakov boast about how powerful and high-ranking he is. The mayor feels bewildered because he believes Khlestakov is as important as he exaggeratedly claims, even though Khlestakov looks ordinary and unimpressive on the outside. From the mayor’s perspective, it doesn’t make sense for Khlestakov to be so different from how he appears. Therefore, the perplexed mayor concludes that everything in the world has become the opposite of what it should be. The mayor’s confusion is humorous because the play’s audience understands that the mayor is mistaken. In fact, Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. P
Act 4 Quotes
She’s quite a tasty dish too—not at all bad looking.
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While he enjoys the mayor’s hospitality, Khlestakov decides to take full advantage of his favorable circumstances and indulge his pleasure-seeking habits further. So, after Khlestakov flirts with the mayor’s daughter, Marya Antonovna, he decides to flirt with her mother Anna Andreyevna too. Khlestakov thinks Anna is “not at all bad looking,” which indicates that his interest in her is rather superficial and self-centered. Khlestakov shamelessly pursues Anna even though she’s married to the mayor and he’s already professed love to Marya. His unscrupulous advances toward both mother and daughter demonstrate that Khlestakov is irresponsible and frivolous when it comes to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim ne
What a dunderhead you are! Even when everything’s been explained to you, you still don’t believe it!
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Anna Andreyevna becomes frustrated with her husband, the mayor, when he refuses to believe that Khlestakov wants to marry his daughter, even though she and Khlestakov both insist that it’s true. Anna calls her husband “a dunderhead” and exclaims, “Even when everything’s been explained to you, you still don’t believe it!” Anna’s words ring truer than she realizes. Throughout the play, the mayor consistently ignores the truth when it’s right in front of him. He does so most crucially in the case of Khlestakov’s identity. Even when Khlestakov truthfully explains who he is, the mayor doesn’t believe him and continues Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus
Act 5 Quotes
Fish! I suppose that’s all you can think of! But I do want to have the very best house in the Capital. There’ll be such an exquisite odour when you enter my boudoir that it will make you close your eyes! Oh, how wonderful!
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As soon as Anna Andreyevna and the mayor believe Khlestakov will marry their daughter, they assume this union will allow them to live extravagantly in St. Petersburg. Together, they fantasize about indulging in various luxuries. According to Anna, the mayor can only think about the kinds of fish he’ll be able to enjoy. The mayor’s wish for delicious fish demonstrates his greedy and simple-minded desire for material pleasures. In this way, food symbolizes greedy self-indulgence in pleasure, which the mayor frequently pursues. Anna criticizes her husband for his small-minded enthusiasm for fish, but she’s equally materialistic and pleasure oriented. She Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti
What are you laughing at? You’re laughing at yourselves, that’s what!
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After the mayor discovers that Khlestakov is only a nobody—not the visiting government inspector he feared—the mayor furiously rebukes himself for being stupid and gullible. In the middle of his tirade, the mayor suddenly exclaims, “What are you laughing at? You’re laughing at yourselves, that’s what!” This abrupt line is usually directed toward the audience. In this way, the mayor breaks the fourth wall, or the imaginary separation between actors on stage and a play’s viewers. When the mayor directly addresses the audience, he berates them for laughing at him. The mayor’s anger at being derided shows how much he Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laboriosam. Eum accusamus harum. Accusantium iusto voluptas. Totam quae corporis. Impedit non ut. Incidunt rerum e
Yes, they say those whom the gods want to punish they first drive insane. Was there anything like a government inspector about that whippersnapper? Absolutely damn all. Not by a long chalk!
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When the mayor realizes he has tricked himself into incorrectly believing Khlestakov is the government inspector, he reflects on his mistake. He says, “those whom the gods want to punish they first drive insane.” This means that his self-deception feels like insanity, which he must be suffering as godsent punishment for his crimes. With this declaration, the mayor expresses how powerfully self-deception distorted his sense of truth and reality—so much so that it feels as if he lost his sanity. Yet the mayor doesn’t deflect all blame for his own error of judgement onto “the gods” or his temporary insanity. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti nisi earum. Ad tenetur laborio
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The Mayor Character Timeline in The Government Inspector
The timeline below shows where the character The Mayor appears in The Government Inspector. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1
Scene 1. In a small Russian town, the mayor has assembled members of the local government in his house. He announces with dismay that...
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...means that Russia is going to war and the government is looking for traitors. The mayor rebukes him for jumping to ridiculous conclusions. Then the mayor instructs the Warden of Charities...
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...about the government inspector, he exclaims that Russia must be going to war. Again, the mayor dismisses that foolish idea and reminds everyone that they are the ones in trouble. The...
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...the inn for two weeks. Bobchinsky declares that Khlestakov must be the government inspector. The mayor is terrified that the inspector has already arrived and resolves to go to the inn...
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Scene 4. The constable Svistunov has prepared a carriage for the mayor. The other constable the mayor summoned is absent because he’s drunk and unfit for duty....
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Scene 5. The mayor orders the Chief of Police to station constables around town to make a good impression....
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Scene 6. Anna Andreyevna shouts for her husband, the mayor. She reproaches her daughter, Marya Antonovna, for vainly fussing about her appearance and wasting time,...
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Act 2
...says the landlord has refused to serve Khlestakov anymore and plans to complain to the mayor about him. Khlestakov insists the waiter should try to change the landlord’s mind. The waiter...
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Scene 7. Osip informs Khlestakov that the mayor is inquiring about him downstairs. Khlestakov panics, thinking that the mayor will throw him in...
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Scene 8. The mayor and Khlestakov stare at each other in mutual terror. Finally, the mayor, believing that Khlestakov...
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Reassured by the mayor’s “loan” and vows of generosity, Khlestakov speaks with the mayor readily and honestly. However, the...
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Scene 9. Khlestakov calls the waiter so he can pay his bill, but the mayor promises that the payment will be taken care of for him.
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Scene 10. The mayor invites Khlestakov to inspect the local institutions. Khlestakov doesn’t understand why but accepts. On Khlestakov’s...
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Act 3
Scene 1. In the mayor’s house, Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna await news about the government inspector. As her mother...
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Scene 2. Dobchinsky gives Anna Andreyevna the note from the mayor, and she asks what kind of man the government inspector is. Dobchinsky says Khlestakov is...
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Scene 4. Osip brings Khlestakov’s luggage into the mayor’s house, and Mishka asks him about his master. Osip answers that Khlestakov is “a general,...
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Scene 5. Khlestakov arrives at the mayor’s house, pleased by the local officials’ hospitality and the delicious lunch he ate at the...
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Scene 6. The mayor introduces his wife and daughter to Khlestakov, who compliments and flatters Anna Andreyevna. Khlestakov begins...
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Scene 9. The mayor hushes everyone so they don’t disturb Khlestakov. The mayor admits Khlestakov was very drunk and...
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Scene 10. Interrupting each other, Anna Andreyevna and the mayor question Osip about Khlestakov’s rank and personality. Osip answers vaguely so he doesn’t contradict their...
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Scene 11. Two constables arrive at the mayor’s house. The mayor commands them to guard the front door and turn away any petitioners...
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Act 4
Scene 1. In the mayor’s house, the town officials try to get into formation so they can appear orderly before...
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Scene 2. Khlestakov wakes up with a headache. He’s eager to enjoy the mayor’s hospitality and expresses interest in both the mayor’s daughter and wife.
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Scene 10. Shopkeepers beg Khlestakov to save them from the mayor, who takes anything he wants from shops without paying and threatens to torture townspeople if...
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...locksmith’s wife and the sergeant’s widow petition Khlestakov next. The locksmith’s wife complains that the mayor sent her husband to the army prematurely and illegally. The sergeant’s widow complains that she...
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Scene 15. The mayor implores Khlestakov not to ruin him, swearing that the shopkeepers are liars. Khlestakov doesn’t care...
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...ready for his departure. Khlestakov claims he’ll return tomorrow, borrows even more money from the mayor, and says farewell. Offstage, the mayor expresses surprise that Khlestakov is riding in such a...
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Act 5
Scene 1. The mayor and his wife celebrate their daughter’s engagement to Khlestakov, which they expect will also raise...
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Scene 2. The shopkeepers present themselves to the mayor after being summoned by a constable. The mayor curses them and calls them double-dealing crooks...
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...3. The judge, Warden of Charities, and a town citizen named Rastakovsky all congratulate the mayor’s good fortune. They kiss Anna Andreyevna’s and Marya Antonovna’s hands.
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Scene 4. Three more citizens—Korobkin, Korobkin’s wife, and Lyulyukov—congratulate the mayor, Anna Andreyevna, and Marya Antonovna.
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Scene 5. From a crowd of well-wishers, Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky push their way to the mayor and his family. Talking over each other, they offer their congratulations and wish Marya Antonovna...
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Scene 6. The Inspector of Schools starts to congratulate the mayor, but his wife interrupts him to congratulate Anna Andreyevna effusively.
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Scene 7. The Chief of Police congratulates the mayor. Anna Andreyevna recounts Khlestakov’s proposal as gentlemanly and beautiful, and she recalls compliments he supposedly...
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The mayor berates himself for being a fool, feeling like the whole world will know he’s been...
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Last Scene and Mute Scene
...The entire, speechless group is transfixed like statues in various positions. In the center, the mayor stands with his arms outstretched and his head thrown back. His wife and daughter reach...
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