derzhimorda

Derzhimorda is a character from Nikolai Gogol's play "The Government Inspector" (Revizor). He is a police officer in the provincial town where the events of the play unfold. Derzhimorda is portrayed as a brutish, ignorant, and corrupt official who embodies the abuses of power prevalent in the Tsarist bureaucracy. His name itself, which can be translated roughly as "hold-muzzle" or "shut-up," reflects his aggressive and authoritarian nature.

Throughout the play, Derzhimorda is shown to be coarse in his speech and mannerisms. He acts with impunity, bullying citizens and unquestioningly following the orders of his superiors, particularly the Mayor. His actions, along with those of other town officials, highlight the pervasive corruption, incompetence, and fear that characterize the society Gogol satirizes. Derzhimorda represents the unthinking enforcer, a cog in a broken system who perpetuates its injustices through his own lack of morality and intelligence. He is a minor but significant figure, contributing to the overall comedic and critical tone of the play.