The mayor, in his quest to gain worldly possessions and the fear of missing anything that may come his way often clouds his judgment.

The Mayor is more concerned with himself than anything. When he hears the Inspector is coming to town, he is so wrapped up in covering his mistakes that he mistakenly woos the wrong man (Khlestakov), and even agrees to allow his daughter to marry him. The Mayor is so excited by the prospect of marrying his daughter to the Government Inspector (clouded judgment) that he never suspects.... he even gives him money when he leaves.