The Government Inspector Character Analysis

Khlestakov

Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is a low-ranking government official who lives in St. Petersburg. Around 23 years old, he’s slim and fashionably dressed. He’s sincere but not very intelligent, and he often speaks and acts without… read analysis of Khlestakov

The Mayor

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… read analysis of The Mayor

The Judge

Ammos Fyodorovich Lyapkin-Tyapkin is the judge. He’s pompous and solemn, and he considers himself an intellectual. The judge has received an award for his long service in office, but he is corrupt, incompetent, and neglectful… read analysis of The Judge

Warden of Charities

Artemy Filippovich Zemlyanika is the Warden of Charities. He’s rotund and clumsy, yet crafty, unscrupulous, and servile. The Warden of Charities runs the charity hospital, but he severely neglects his duties. He chooses not to… read analysis of Warden of Charities

Inspector of Schools

Luka Lukich Khlopov is the Inspector of Schools. Like the other town officials, the Inspector of Schools doesn’t perform his duty well. In fact, the Inspector of Schools has trouble controlling the teachers, who spread… read analysis of Inspector of Schools

Postmaster

Ivan Kuzmich Shpekin is the postmaster. He is so simple-minded that he’s naïve. Out of curiosity, he opens and reads everyone’s mail. Sometimes, he even keeps letters for himself that are particularly enjoyable to read… read analysis of Postmaster

Bobchinsky

Pyotr Ivanovich Bobchinsky is a local landowner in the town. He’s short and portly in stature, speaks rapidly, and gestures wildly. Bobchinsky is comically similar to his fellow landowner Dobchinsky, although Bobchinsky is more… read analysis of Bobchinsky

Dobchinsky

Pyotr Ivanovich Dobchinsky is a local landowner in the town. He’s nearly identical to Bobchinsky in name, appearance, and mannerisms, although Dobchinsky is taller and more serious. He and Bobchinsky constantly interrupt and bicker with… read analysis of Dobchinsky

Anna Andreyevna

Anna Andreyevna is the mayor’s wife and mother of Marya Antonovna. Anna is vain and self-centered. She must always look her best, demands to be in the know, talks long-windedly, and constantly fusses… read analysis of Anna Andreyevna

Marya Antonovna

Marya Antonovna is the 18-year-old daughter of the mayor and Anna Andreyevna. Marya is quiet and meek, constantly being chastised by her mother for being vain, clumsy, and immature. However, she is more polite… read analysis of Marya Antonovna

Osip

Osip is Khlestakov’s servant. An older man, Osip is serious, reserved, and practical. Although he keeps his criticisms to himself, he disapproves of Khlestakov’s self-indulgent nature, irresponsibility with money, tendency to show off, and… read analysis of Osip

Korobkin

Stepan Ivanovich Korobkin is a retired official and respected citizen of the town. After the mayor announces his daughter Marya Antonovna’s supposed engagement to Khlestakov, Korobkin and his wife congratulate the mayor’s family… read analysis of Korobkin

Rastakovsky

Ivan Lazarevich Rastakovsky is a retired official and respected citizen of the town. In a friendly manner, Rastakovsky congratulates the mayor and Anna Andreyevna on their daughter Marya Antonovna’s engagement to Khlestakov. He… read analysis of Rastakovsky

Abdulin

Abdulin is a shopkeeper who sells wine. According to the mayor, Abdulin is scheming and duplicitous. The mayor curses Abdulin for knowing how scratched up his sword is but still not sending him a… read analysis of Abdulin

Minor Characters

Lyulyukov

Fyodor Andreyevich Lyulyukov is a retired official and respected citizen of the town. Lyulyukov congratulates Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna on Marya’s supposed betrothal to Khlestakov with great attention-seeking bravado.

Chief of Police

Stepan Ilich Ukhovyortov is the Chief of Police. He follows the mayor’s orders obediently, but under his command the police constables are disorderly and ill-behaved. His name means “ear-twister,” which implies that he treats people roughly and violently.

Svistunov

Svistunov is a constable. The mayor berates him for stealing from townspeople and taking bribes above his rank.

Mishka

Mishka is the mayor’s servant.