Who is Khlestakov? Who is Khlestakov in Gogol's comedy the Inspector General Where does Khlestakov serve in the comedy The Inspector General

Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov is an ambiguous and contradictory personality. The author himself mentioned this more than once. Khlestakov can hardly be called a swindler and an adventurer, because he does not consciously pose as a “significant person”, but only takes advantage of circumstances. But the hero has an adventurous streak and a penchant for cheating. An honest person would immediately refute the erroneous opinions of others and would not lend money, knowing that he would never return it. And I certainly wouldn’t care for a mother and daughter at the same time.

Khlestakov is a grandiose liar, he deceives everyone as easily and inspiredly as children do when they invent fables about themselves and their loved ones. Ivan Alexandrovich enjoys his fantasies and even believes in them. According to Gogol, Khlestakov “lies with feeling,” without any plan or self-interest.

A young man of twenty-three years old, "pleasant looking", official of the lowest rank, "simple elestrate", poor, and even completely lost at cards - this is how the hero appears before us at the beginning of the play. He is hungry and begs the inn servant to bring at least some food. Khlestakov came from the provinces to conquer the capital, but due to lack of connections and financial opportunities he remains a failure. Even the servant treats him with disdain.

Gogol did not choose this surname for his hero by chance. It clearly shows associations with verbs "whip", "whip" and expression "capital whip", which is quite consistent with the image.

The author described his character this way: "a little stupid", "doesn't care about business", "a clever man", "dressed in fashion". And here are the words of Khlestakov himself: “I have an extraordinary lightness of mind”. And this is not just frivolity. The hero jumps with lightning speed from subject to subject in conversation, judges everything superficially and does not think about anything seriously. Irresponsibility, spiritual emptiness, blurred moral principles erase any boundaries in Khlestakov’s behavior and conversation.

At first, Alexander Ivanovich simply takes bribes, and then he extorts them himself. He is not at all discouraged by Anna Andreevna’s remark that she is married. Khlestakov's motto: “After all, you live to pick flowers of pleasure”. He easily moves from the role of a bribe taker to the role of a defender of the oppressed, from a timid supplicant to an arrogant "master of life".

Khlestakov, like most narrow-minded people, believes that to succeed you do not need to make serious efforts, have knowledge and talent. In his opinion, chance, luck, like winning at a card table, is enough. Writing like Pushkin or running a ministry is a pleasure. Anyone who is at the right time and in the right place can do this. And if fortune smiles on him, why should he miss his chance?

Khlestakov does not achieve rank, fame and wealth through intrigue, deceit and crime. He is too simple, stupid and lazy for this. For a long time, he doesn’t even understand why the city elite is so fussy about him. Random circumstances elevate Khlestakov to the top of the social pyramid. Crazy with joy and tipsy, the hero voices his dreams to enthusiastic listeners, passing them off as reality with such sincere conviction that experienced officials do not suspect deception. Even outright absurdity and a heap of complete absurdities do not dispel the intoxication of veneration.

For example, the mayor does not look stupid and naive. “I deceived scammers on scammers.”, he says about his thirty years of service. But as if under hypnosis, he does not notice the absurdity of the stories of the imaginary auditor and future son-in-law. The entire bureaucratic fraternity of the district town of N believes, like Khlestakov, that money and connections can do anything. Therefore, such a young man is quite capable of occupying the highest position. They are not at all surprised that he is in the palace every day, plays cards with foreign ambassadors and will soon be promoted to field marshal.

I wonder what life "high society" Khlestakov represents it very approximately. His imagination is only enough for fantastic quantities, sums and distances: a watermelon for seven hundred rubles, soup straight from Paris, thirty-five thousand couriers. “Speech is abrupt, comes out of the mouth unexpectedly”, the author writes about his hero. Khlestakov practically doesn’t think, so he doesn’t have aside lines like other characters.

However, the hero sincerely considers himself smarter and more worthy than stupid provincials. A complete nonentity with grandiose claims, a liar, a coward and a flighty braggart, Khlestakov is a product of his era. But Gogol created an image that carries universal human vices. Today, corrupt officials are unlikely to mistake such a dummy for an auditor, but each of us has a little of Khlestakov.

  • “The Inspector General”, analysis of the comedy by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol
  • "The Inspector General", a summary of the actions of Gogol's comedy

N. V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” has long been widely circulated with quotes and sharp comparisons, as they very aptly reflect human nature. This work, which the great writer wrote in 1835, is still relevant today. Because it describes with the clearest accuracy the most diverse traits of human character, in particular its main character. A coward, a braggart, a self-confident person - this is a short image of Khlestakov. In the comedy “The Inspector General” these features are revealed richly and vividly.

Deception of the century

This work begins with the fact that in one county town they are waiting for a very important person - an auditor who is going on an important inspection. And then a gentleman arrives, very modest and businesslike. The author paints a brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General” with very positive colors. Ivan Vladimirovich, that’s the name of the newcomer, of a very “pleasant appearance.” It does not make a stunning impression and is not even remarkable in any way. But if you look closely at the hero, he is very worthy of attention.

The circumstances were such that Khlestakov was mistaken for an important person. And he, instead of immediately correcting the misunderstanding, instantly gets into character. This is where the most hidden qualities of his character appear.

The Loser and the Little Man

An ordinary ordinary person of that time - this is a brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General,” which the author draws to us at the beginning. He lives in a world that is full of various temptations and enticements. But the Northern capital refuses to accept him into its ranks. After all, Khlestakov does not have a high enough position, but he does not shine with a special mind, does not possess any sparkling talents. He can safely be classified as one of the banal losers who came to conquer St. Petersburg. But the hero clearly overestimated his strength - both financial and moral. He is an ordinary little man in a big capital.

But here fate gives you such a chance - to demonstrate that you are an outstanding person. And Khlestakov enthusiastically rushes into

County nobility

What society does the main character fall into? This is an environment of small landed nobility, whose representatives are only concerned with emphasizing their importance and greatness. Each resident of the county town tries to highlight the shortcomings of the other in order to prove that he is the best. The characters in Gogol's The Inspector General are swaggering, sometimes stupid, but consider themselves to be the local aristocracy.

And so Khlestakov, an ordinary little clerk, finds himself in such a society, as the author writes about him - “neither this nor that.”

A reasonable question arises: why didn’t the main character immediately admit that he was not who they thought he was? But the author does not answer this question - maybe he just wanted to play at being an important person?

The brief image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General” can be described as follows: he is a man who is too far from ideal, he is a player, he is a petty reveler. Khlestakov believes that comfort should dominate, and worldly pleasures should come first. He sees nothing wrong with fooling scammers. Moreover, he is sure that he is doing a “holy work.”

Gogol created a wonderful image of a braggart and a coward who does not strive for anything and simply wastes his life. He is “one of those people who are called empty-headed in the offices.”

By the way, Khlestakov’s quotes from “The Inspector General” very aptly and vividly characterize a certain circle of people. The exact characteristics given to the heroes in a few words quite accurately reflect their inner essence.

It is interesting that, in addition to the real person, there is a certain ghost in the hero who takes revenge on him with fantastic self-affirmation. He tries his best to not be who he really is, but it desperately fails. But even Khlestakov’s own lackey openly despises the master. This is how he speaks of his master: “It would be nice if there was really something worthwhile, otherwise he’s just a simple little elistrat.”

Both a braggart and a scoundrel

Khlestakov has a good pedigree. He was born into the family of an old-world landowner, in the outback of Russia. But for some reason he was unable to maintain connections with his family, people, or land. He does not remember his kinship and from this he becomes, as it were, an artificial person who jumped out of the “Petrine table of ranks.” He speaks quite disparagingly about his father: “They, the idiots, don’t even know what it means to ‘order to accept’.” Such quotes from Khlestakov from “The Inspector General” once again emphasize that the hero does not honor, and even tries to mock, his old father.

But this does not prevent him from taking money from his “uneducated father” and spending it at his own discretion.

Narcissistic, gambling, boastful - this is a short image of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General”. He arrived at the hotel and immediately demanded the most delicious lunch, because he was allegedly not used to anything else. He loses all his money, but cannot stop. He insults the servant and yells at him, but at some points he warmly listens to his advice.

And what a lot of boasting! Without blinking an eye, he declares that he has an excellent command of the pen, and he personally wrote such famous works as “Robert the Devil” and “Fenella” in one evening. He doesn’t even suspect that these are not books, but operas!

And even when the mayor’s daughter catches him in a lie and remembers the real author of the work - “Yuri Miloslavsky”, Khlestakov immediately declares that he has exactly the same composition.

One can only envy such an ability to instantly adapt and not get discouraged! To impress ordinary people, he constantly spouts French words, which he knows only a few. It seems to him that this makes his speech secular, but in fact his flow of words causes laughter. He does not know how to finish his thought, so he quickly changes topics, jumping from one to another. When he needs something, he can be affectionate and polite. But as soon as Khlestakov gets his way, he immediately begins to be rude and rude.

There is no morality, there is only profit

There are no moral restrictions for Khlestakov. He is an empty and frivolous person who is concerned only with his own well-being. And when officials come to him to give him a basic bribe, he takes it for granted. At first, when they give money for the first time, he is unusually embarrassed and even drops it out of excitement. But when the postmaster comes in, Khlestakov accepts the money more confidently. At Strawberry's, he simply demands them with vigor. For now, he is confident in his soul that he is borrowing these funds and will certainly pay them back. But as soon as he realizes that he has been confused with an important person, Khlestakov instantly adapts to the situation and decides to take advantage of such a great chance.

The place of comedy in world literature

Gogol, “The Inspector General”, Khlestakov - these words have firmly entered world literature. The concept of “Khlestakovism” has become a common symbol of deception, trickery and narrow-mindedness.

The author managed to so accurately reflect the character of the main character in his work that deceitful and vicious people are still very often called in one word - Khlestakov. A rogue and a rogue, he never drew any conclusions from his situation, remaining in the vile confidence that next time he would certainly be lucky.

Option 1:

Khlestakov... He is generally considered a swindler and a deceiver. But is this really so? All his life a person is late for something, doesn’t have time, everything is awkward for him, he doesn’t know how to do anything, he’s a failure in everything... At the same time, he dreams. And in his dreams he is strong, smart, rich, powerful and irresistible to women.

The reality is sad - Khlestakov lost to smithereens. Only a miracle will save our dreamer from starvation and debt.

And a miracle happens. The circumstances are so favorable that Ivan Alexandrovich cannot resist the temptation. And those in power fawn over him, and the first beauties of N-Ska are ready to fall into his arms - or provide their daughters. And there is no strength or desire to stop and think about the consequences - the whirlwind of flattering and corrupt carries on and on...

Khlestakov himself, however, is stupid and cowardly. And the only thing that justifies him in our eyes is the even greater stupidity and cowardice of the characters around him. However, he knows how to deftly adapt to the situation and wishful thinking. If you want to see an important official, you will have an important official. If you want to give bribes, he will accept them. If you want a profitable marriage or an influential lover, he will promise you this. It is impossible to stop in the flow of lies, only to leave, which is what Khlestakov does. Very timely.

Khlestakov is not the main character of the play. It is rather a natural phenomenon, like a snowstorm or drought. He simply by existing allows others to show themselves in all their glory. Put your vices and passions on display. Turn inside out under the spotlight.

Khlestakov is passive throughout the entire action, he goes with the flow. It doesn't act - it just encourages those around them to take off their masks. By your very existence here and now.

Khlestakov is only a catalyst.

Option 2:

It is precisely this invincible confidence in his right to be cared for by other people that leads to the fact that Khlestakov is easily drawn into the game offered to him and does not disabuse the other participants in this game. He carries himself so naturally in the image of a pompous talker that officials have no doubt: this role was invented on purpose to disguise the audit.

The behavior model of all bribe takers is approximately the same - they also pretend to be stupid. Therefore, the events of the play unfold very predictably. The combination of fear with hope for quick success leads to a loss of vigilance, including among women.

Khlestakov is not a positive hero, although he did not have any bad intentions. This image is especially relevant in our time, when society is aimed at consumption rather than personal development.

Option 3:

Gogol is one of the most merciless critics of the moral principles and foundations of the public of that time. It is noteworthy that everything described by the author, all the characteristics and life stories are relevant to this day. As they say: “we all came out of Gogol’s overcoat.” The same can be said about the comedy “The Inspector General,” in particular about Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov, whose character is central to the work. His character traits, manner of behavior, and the adventures in which he got involved were so vital and natural that a collective name appeared for this kind of incident - “Khlestakovism.”

If you figure out who Khlestakov is, it will become obvious that he is, in fact, not an evil character, but an extremely resourceful, cunning and skillful deceiver. He is even close to acting. Upon arrival in the small town, he found it difficult to make ends meet. Left alone in the room and sending the servant to beg dinner from the owner of the inn, these are the thoughts that come to him: “It’s terrible how hungry I am! So I walked around a little, wondering if my appetite would go away - no, damn it, it won’t. Yes, if I hadn’t had a party in Penza, I would have had enough money to get home.” It is obvious that sometimes, very rarely, Khlestakov’s thoughts of common sense slip through, and repentance appears. This happens not because of high morality, but because of the horrors of need. The hero squandered almost all his father's money at cards. He is left to look for ways to make money, but our character is not so prudent. Instead, he simply took advantage of the situation, pretended to be an important official and fooled the residents of a small town. “After all, you live to pick flowers of pleasure.”

Khlestakov is intoxicated by the situation, the imaginary power and the fallen role. Such a person has no backbone; he swims wherever the current takes him. He cheats to get out, throws dust in his eyes, wants to appear and not be. Unfortunately, both before and today, a person who has received a high position, without achieving it through his own work, but by chance, behaves this way. He imagines himself to be a great man, deciding the destinies of people, covers his eyes with false achievements, extols himself to the skies, not noticing that there is nothing to support his flight. And each of us needs to answer honestly, to ourselves, would we be tempted to hit the big jackpot when it comes into our hands? What would they do if each of the residents was in a hurry to please us, honor us and “kiss our hands.” Wouldn't you give in? “There is no point in blaming the mirror if your face is crooked,” the proverb to the work tells us.

Option 4:

The key figure in N.V. Gogol's comedy "The Inspector General" is Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov.

The writer characterizes the main character of his work negatively. Why? Because Khlestakov behaves so arrogantly and irresponsibly that even the reader develops a feeling of hostility towards this character.

When we meet Khlestakov, we learn that he managed to spend all his money because of his love for gambling. Now he is in the county town of N, unable to pay for accommodation in the hotel where he was staying. The mayor, who mistook this rogue for an auditor, creates for Khlestakov all the conditions where the imaginary auditor can show his “talents” - lies, ambition, money-grubbing. All this leads to the fact that the number of people deceived by Khlestakov increases every day, and the anti-hero himself, without a twinge of conscience, uses what could never rightfully belong to him.

The image of this negative hero has become a household name and today we can observe a considerable number of such “Khlestakovs” surrounding us in everyday life.

Option 5:

One of the main characters, as well as the most striking image of the comedy N.V. Gogol's "Inspector General" is Ivan Khlestakov, he is young, thin and stupid. They often say about such people: “without a king in their head.”

Khlestakov serves in the office, receiving a meager salary and dreaming of incredible heights that are inaccessible to him from birth. He fantasizes about how he will lead a luxurious life and become the favorite of the ladies, although this, of course, will never happen.

By chance, having lost everything he had, he ends up in a hotel in the provincial town of N, where he encounters the mayor. He takes him for an auditor, and previously inaccessible opportunities open up for the dreamer and liar Khlestakov. He begins to feel his importance, even if imaginary, and uncontrollably lies about himself, his achievements and position in society. At the same time, he doesn’t even know who exactly he was confused with; the hero lacks the intelligence to use his temporary position for his own benefit. Although unconsciously, Khlestakov, playing the role that was imposed on him, managed to feed everyone’s fear of the “big man.” During his service in the office, he more than once tried on the role of serious officials, observing their behavior. And so he had the opportunity to feel significant and important, and the hero, of course, took advantage of it, because his superficiality does not allow him to predict the troubles that may follow. It is worth noting that Khlestakov was not a swindler by nature, he simply accepted other people’s honors and was sure that he deserved them, already beginning to believe in his own lies.

The mayor was unable to recognize the forgery, because Ivan impersonated an official unintentionally, without the goal of profit; he innocently considered himself to be what those around him believed. But it was an accident that saved him; he left the city on time and thanks to this he avoided retribution for his lies.

The image of Khlestakov illustrates an empty and worthless person who, without giving anything to society, wants to receive all kinds of benefits and honors for nothing.

Option 6:

Khlestakov Ivan Aleksandrovich is one of the key characters in Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”. By himself, he is a very mediocre person, not standing out from the crowd with any positive qualities, a typical “little man.” By the will of fate, he finds himself on the crest of a wave of life - by pure chance, residents of the provincial town of N mistake him for an important person - the capital's auditor. And here our hero’s real life begins - the life he has dreamed of for so long: the top officials of the town invite him to dinner parties, the best women pay attention to him, and officials are in awe of the “significant person.”

And then, when Khlestakov achieves the life he dreamed of, his true face begins to clearly appear. Khlestakov lies uncontrollably, presenting himself as a great writer and public figure, shamelessly takes bribes, and fools two women at the same time. In the middle of the work, we see him no longer as a faceless “little man”, but as a truly immoral person. In his character we see frivolity and deceit, irresponsibility and stupidity, superficiality and simply a lack of decency. It’s not for nothing that all these qualities together were dubbed Khlestakovism.

It is also interesting that as the action of the work develops, the character of the main character also develops - the negative traits of his character appear more and more. It is unknown what Khlestakov would have reached if it were not for another happy accident - just before the hero’s deception was revealed, he left the city. Probably, luck is the only valuable natural gift that nature endowed Khlestakov with.

In his work, Gogol tried to focus public attention on the attitude of officials to their duties in the workplace. The image and characterization of Khlestakov in the comedy “The Inspector General” will make it possible to create a composite portrait of all officials in the person of the main character. Khlestakov managed to collect in himself all the universal vices, giving the name to the whole phenomenon - “Khlestakovism”, which hides stupidity, lies, frivolity and irresponsibility for one’s actions.

Image of Khlestakov

Gogol, at the very beginning of the work, described Khlestakov as follows:

“...a young man of about twenty-three, thin, thin; somewhat stupid and, as they say, without a king in his head, - one of those people who in the offices are called empty ... "

Full name Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov. Arrived from St. Petersburg. Originally from the Saratov province, where his parents live. Official. A short brown-haired man with shifty eyes. He had a pleasant appearance and made a special impression on women.

“...Oh, how nice!”

Khlestakov liked to dress according to fashion. It was his love for expensive clothes that played a cruel joke on him. Local officials mistook him for an auditor. The protagonist's speech is abrupt. The phrases fly out before he has time to think.

“His speech is abrupt, and words fly out of his mouth completely unexpectedly...”

Characteristic

Khlestakov found himself at the scene of the events described by chance. Having lost to smithereens at cards, he was forced to stay at a local hotel.

“...If I hadn’t had a party in Penza, I would have had enough money to get home...”

The road to his native village was postponed for some time due to the complete depletion of his pocket.

A small man, well aware of his position in society. The salary in the office is meager, but I want to live beautifully. Khlestakov, while working in St. Petersburg, saw enough of people who did not deny themselves pleasures, who were accustomed to living to the fullest. He wanted it too, but with his capabilities he could only dream about it.

The father regularly sent money to his unlucky son. With enviable regularity, Khlestakov lost cash at cards. The bad habit had become firmly entrenched in him.

Jonah. Even the servant treats him with slight disdain. Khlestakov’s talent lies in the ability to lie and show off. He deftly took advantage of the situation when he was mistaken for an auditor and began to be given money. The other one in his place burned with shame, but he did not. Audacity second happiness. It's about him.

Lover of women. He managed to set his sights on two people at once, the mayor’s wife and daughter.

“...The mayor’s daughter is very pretty, and her mother is such that it would still be possible...”

The women did not suspect a trick in the sweet speeches, immediately believing the rascal.

In addition to lies, Khlestakov loved to fantasize. Moreover, he believed in his fantasies, often imagining himself in the role of a general, a famous writer, or a public figure. Human "without a king in my head". Frivolous. Superficial When committing actions, he does not think at all about the consequences.

How could he borrow money, knowing that he couldn’t pay it back? In his opinion, success does not require much effort. A fool is the one who earns his living with hump and blood. Khlestakov believed that everything in life depends on chance. If you get a lucky ticket, as is the case with the role of auditor, why not take advantage of it.

He managed to fool all the city officials. As if under hypnosis, they succumbed to his charm and ability to speak beautifully. No one was even surprised how at his age one could achieve such heights.

This man's ego is off the charts. Considering himself an order of magnitude superior to others in intelligence, he looks at people as fools, over whom one can and should boast and mock.



His adventure could have resulted in imprisonment if he had not left the city in time. Soon after his departure, the mayor and other officials learned the truth from a letter left by Khlestakov for a journalist friend. One thought was spinning in the mayor’s head: how could he

“Take an icicle or a rag for an important person! Now he’s singing bells all over the road!”

These words contain the whole essence of Khlestakov. A dummy and a tyrant who knows how to pretend in time to be who he needs to be and take advantage of the situation for his own benefit.

Essays on literature: Who is Khlestakov(based on N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”) (1) N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General” became a new step in the history of Russian drama. In everything here one can feel a departure from the traditions contemporary to the author. But the main departure was the image of the main character - Khlestakov. It was generally accepted at that time to place at the center of a satirical work a rogue and a swindler leading an elaborate intrigue. Gogol chose as a hero an insignificant petty official who did not at all strive to deliberately deceive the inhabitants of the city, but by chance, by a strange coincidence, found himself in the role of “winner”. Khlestakov’s character at one time became a discovery on a global scale.

He is a master of lies and selflessly gives himself over to his lies, he himself believes in fables that he comes up with “on the fly”: and in the “thirty-five thousand couriers” sent for him, and in the fact that counts and princes are “huddling” in his hall. He gives full rein to his uncontrolled and disorderly imagination, thereby revealing the poverty of his nature. “They even write on my packages: “Your Excellency,” he boasts. Gogol's hero is incredibly boastful, he wants to demonstrate his metropolitan education, using various exquisite literary expressions for the beauty of his style: “plucking the flowers of pleasure,” “we retired under the shadow of the streams.” At the same time, He loves to be revered: “I confess, I would not demand anything more, as soon as you show me devotion and respect, respect and devotion.”

Every now and then he opposes himself to peasants, merchants and artisans. Taking on the role of an influential person, he intimidates his interlocutors: “The State Council itself is afraid of me...”. His actions are often impulsive, he “suddenly” connects the impossible. His thoughts, constantly jumping from subject to subject, show a complete inability to concentrate, to concentrate his attention on something.

Khlestakov is very funny during his heated declarations of love to the mayor’s daughter, then to her mother, and again to the daughter. The character of the hero, incredibly susceptible to other people's influence, is constantly changing. We see that Khlestakov, although he wants to seem significant, is actually nothing of himself. All his aspirations are low and petty: to squander his father’s money, go on carousing, play cards and indulge in any other entertainment. “Why?

Because he’s not involved in business,” explains Khlestakov’s servant, “instead of taking office, he goes for a walk around the precinct, plays cards.” This image embodied all the negative traits of the nobility: extravagance, ambition, arrogance, claims to education in the face of obvious ignorance. The purpose of such a worthless person's life is to bring himself all kinds of joy without making any effort. “After all, you live to pick flowers of pleasure,” he believes. What Khlestakov only dreamed of in St. Petersburg (high positions, connections with important people, luxurious life, love victories), in the conditions of a provincial town, surrounded by officials who mistook him for an auditor, became possible.

And he, taking this opportunity, brilliantly played the role of a “capital thing.” (based on N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General”) (2) Khlestakov is one of the characteristic characters in N.V. Gogol’s comedy “The Inspector General.” This is “a young man of about twenty-three, thin, thin; somewhat stupid and, as they say, without a king in his head...

" Stopping in a small provincial town penniless, he was unexpectedly mistaken by local officials for an auditor from St. Petersburg traveling incognito. Not understanding at first the reasons for the changes that happened to him, Khlestakov, nevertheless, managed to brilliantly play the role of an auditor. He assumes importance and significance and desperately lies, describing his position in the capital and his capabilities. The false inspector easily changes his appearance: he is now a lost spendthrift, capable of begging dinner from the owner of the tavern, now an important person who communicates on short terms with counts and dukes, now a desperate womanizer who skillfully conducts amorous conversations. His artistry is simply amazing! It is no coincidence that the district officials consider him a cunning and resourceful person with whom they need to behave carefully. The district officials only manage to realize that this is an ordinary scoundrel in front of them in the middle of the fourth act.

How does Khlestakov feel in this situation? He acts on the principle: “You should not miss what floats into your hands.” The comedy hero cannot be called evil or cruel, he is simply trying to make the most of the situation. The latter suggests that he is not stupid, he is on his own. If you take a closer look at Khlestakov, you understand that although he is sincere, he is an “empty”, superficial person: “He speaks and acts without any consideration.” Thoughts of any sublime or philosophical nature are alien to him: “He is unable to pay constant attention to any thought.”

Khlestakov's speech is full of vulgarisms, literary cliches and misunderstood French words. We can conclude that Khlestakov is a typical rogue and slacker, spiritually poor and poorly educated. At the same time, he is an unrestrained liar, a braggart and a poser. I would hardly want to meet such a person in life.