The image of Napoleon in the novel War and Peace summary. Historians' depiction of Napoleon and Kutuzov
Leo Tolstoy acted as an objective critic, the image and characterization of Napoleon in the novel "War and Peace" is comprehensively highlighted, not warned.
What does the emperor of France look like
The thin face of Napoleon in 1805 near Austerlitz testified to his busy schedule, fatigue, and valiant ardor. In 1812, the emperor of France looks different: a round belly indicates a passion for fatty foods. A chubby neck protrudes from the collar of a blue uniform, and the bulges of thick thighs are well traced through the tight-fitting fabric of white leggings.The trained military posture allowed Bonaparte to last days look majestic. He was distinguished by his small stature, stocky figure and involuntarily protruding belly, he constantly wore jackboots - life passed on horseback. The man became famous for his well-groomed dandy with white beautiful hands, loved perfume, his body was constantly enveloped in the thick aroma of cologne.
Napoleon started a military campaign against Russia at the age of forty. Dexterity and movement were less agile than in youth, but the step remained firm and quick. The emperor's voice sounded loud, he tried to pronounce each letter clearly, especially the last syllable in words was beautifully pronounced.
How the heroes of the novel "War and Peace" characterize Napoleon
The owner of the Petersburg Salon Anna Scherrer repeats the rumors spread from Prussia that Bonaparte is invincible, Europe will not be able to stop his army. It is only 1805, some of the guests invited to the party speak with admiration about the activities of the new French government, its ambitious leader.At the beginning of the novel, Andrei Bolkonsky considers the military leader promising. At the aforementioned evening, the young prince recalls noble deeds commanders who command respect: visiting hospitals, communicating with plague-infected soldiers.
After the Battle of Borodino, when the Russian officer had to die among the many killed soldiers, he heard Napoleon above him. He spoke about the picture of death unfolding before his eyes, admiring, with delight, with inspiration. Prince Andrew realized that he was hearing the words of a sick man, possessed by the suffering of others, vile and down-to-earth with unhealthy instincts.
Similarly, Pierre Bezukhov became disillusioned with the image of the French military leader. The young count emphasized the state professionalism of a figure who managed to separate the abuses of the revolution, who accepted the equality of citizens as the basis of a new political government. Especially diligently Pierre tried to explain to the Russian nobility positive value freedom of speech, which originated in young France.
On the ashes of Moscow, Bezukhov changed his mind to the opposite. Under the theatrical grandeur of Napoleon's soul, Pierre saw the scale of the lawlessness perpetrated by the emperor alone. The consequence of the actions of the person in power was inhuman cruelty. Mass lawlessness was the result of greed and insignificance.
Nikolai Rostov, due to his youth and directness, considered Napoleon a criminal, and as an emotionally mature representative of youth, he hated the commander of the enemy army with all the strength of his youthful soul.
The Russian statesman Count Rostopchin compares the activities of the evil genius with the pirate traditions that took place on the ships they seized.
Napoleon's personality traits
The future conqueror of Europe had Italian roots, could, like most representatives of this nation, spontaneously change facial expressions. But contemporaries argued that the expression of complacency and happiness was present on the face little man often, especially in moments of battles.The author repeatedly mentions narcissism, self-adoration this character, selfishness reaches the level of insanity. A blatant lie escapes his lips, accentuated by a sincere expression in his eyes. War for him is a noble craft, he does not notice that behind these words there is a red picture of millions of ruined lives, rivers of blood flow from the battlefields.
Mass kill peoples turns into a habit, a passionate addiction. Napoleon himself calls war his craft. Military career became his life purpose since my youth. Having reached power, the emperor appreciates luxury, organizes a magnificent courtyard, and demands honor. His orders are carried out unquestioningly, he himself, according to Tolstoy, began to believe in the correctness of his thoughts, as the only correct one.
The Emperor is under the delusion that his beliefs are infallible, ideal and perfect in their truth. Tolstoy does not deny that Bonaparte's experience of waging war is significant, but the character is not educated person on the contrary, he is a limited person in many respects.
Portrait of NapoleonLev Nikolaevich emphasizes the limitedness and self-confidence of this commander, which is manifested in all his words, gestures and actions. The portrait of Napoleon is ironic. He has a "short", "fat" figure, "fat thighs", a fussy, impetuous gait, "white plump neck", "round belly", "thick shoulders". This is the image of Napoleon in the novel War and Peace. Describing the morning toilet of the French emperor before the Battle of Borodino, Lev Nikolaevich is revealing. portrait characteristics, given initially in the work, enhances. The emperor has a "groomed body", "overgrown fat chest", "yellow" and "swollen" face. These details show that Napoleon Bonaparte ("War and Peace") was a man far from working life and alien folk roots... The leader of the French is shown to be a narcissistic egoist who thinks that the whole universe obeys his will. For him, people are of no interest.
Napoleon's behavior, his manner of speaking
The image of Napoleon in the novel "War and Peace" is revealed not only through the description of his appearance. His manner of speaking and behavior also shows narcissism and narrow-mindedness. He is convinced of his own genius and greatness. Good is what came into his head, not what is actually good, as Tolstoy notes. In the novel, each appearance of this character is accompanied by the author's merciless commentary. So, for example, in the third volume (first part, sixth chapter), Lev Nikolaevich writes that it was clear from this person that only what was happening in his soul was of interest to him.
In War and Peace, the characterization of Napoleon is also noted in the following details. With a subtle irony, which sometimes turns into sarcasm, the writer exposes Bonaparte's claims to world domination, as well as his acting, incessant posing for history. All the time the French emperor played, there was nothing natural and simple in his words and behavior. This is shown very expressively by Lev Nikolaevich in the scene when he admired the portrait of his son on the Borodino field. In it, the image of Napoleon in the novel War and Peace acquires some very important details. Let's briefly describe this scene.
Episode with a portrait of Napoleon's son
Napoleon approached the picture, feeling that what he would do and say now "is history." The portrait depicted the son of the emperor, who played the globe in bilbock. This expressed the greatness of the leader of the French, but Napoleon wanted to show "fatherly tenderness". Of course it was pure water acting. Napoleon did not express any sincere feelings here, he only acted, posed for history. This scene shows the arrogance of this man, who believed that all of Russia would be conquered with the conquest of Moscow, and thus his plans for domination over the whole world would come true.
Napoleon - actor and player
And in a number of subsequent episodes, the description of Napoleon ("War and Peace") indicates that he is an actor and a player. On the eve of the Battle of Borodino, he says that chess has already been staged and that the game will start tomorrow. On the day of the battle, Lev Nikolaevich notices after the cannon shots: "The game has begun." Further, the writer shows that it cost tens of thousands of people their lives. Prince Andrew thinks that war is not a game, but only a cruel necessity. A fundamentally different approach to it was in this thought of one of the main characters of the work "War and Peace". The image of Napoleon is emphasized by this remark. Prince Andrew expressed the opinion of the peaceful people, who were forced under exceptional circumstances to take up arms, since the threat of enslavement hung over their homeland.
Comic effect produced by the French emperor
It did not matter to Napoleon what was outside of himself, since it seemed to him that everything in the world depended only on his will. Tolstoy makes such a remark in an episode of his meeting with Balashev ("War and Peace"). The image of Napoleon in it is supplemented with new details. Lev Nikolaevich emphasizes the contrast between the emperor's insignificance and his overestimated self-esteem. The comic conflict that arises in this case is the best proof of the emptiness and powerlessness of this historical figure, who pretends to be majestic and strong.
Spiritual world of Napoleon
In the understanding of Tolstoy spiritual world the leader of the French is an "artificial world" inhabited by "ghosts of some greatness" (volume three, part two, chapter 38). In fact, Napoleon is living proof of one old truth that "the king is the slave of history" (Volume Three, Part One, Chapter 1). Considering that he fulfills his own will, this historical figure only played a "heavy", "sad" and "cruel" "inhuman role" that was intended for him. He could hardly have endured it if this man's conscience and mind had not been darkened (Volume Three, Part Two, Chapter 38). The writer sees the darkening of the mind of this commander-in-chief in the fact that he deliberately cultivated in himself a spiritual callousness, which he took for true greatness and courage.
So, for example, in the third volume (part two, chapter 38) it is said that he liked to look at the wounded and killed, thereby testing his mental strength(as Napoleon himself believed). In the episode, when a squadron of Polish uhlans swam across the river Neman and the adjutant, in front of his eyes, allowed himself to draw the attention of the emperor to the loyalty of the Poles, Napoleon called Berthier to him and began to walk with him along the bank, giving orders and occasionally glancing displeasedly at the drowned uhlans, who entertained his attention. For him, death is a boring and familiar sight. Napoleon takes for granted the selfless devotion of his own soldiers.
Napoleon is a deeply unhappy man
Tolstoy emphasizes that this man was deeply unhappy, but did not notice this only due to the absence of at least some kind of moral feeling. The "great" Napoleon, the "European hero" is morally blind. He can understand neither beauty, nor goodness, nor truth, nor the meaning of his own actions, which, as Leo Tolstoy notes, were "opposite to goodness and truth," "far from everything human." Napoleon simply could not understand the meaning of his deeds (volume three, part two, chapter 38). According to the writer, one can come to truth and goodness only by abandoning the imaginary greatness of one's personality. However, Napoleon is not at all capable of such a "heroic" act.
Responsibility of Napoleon for what he did
Despite the fact that he is doomed to play a negative role in history, Tolstoy by no means diminishes the moral responsibility of this man for everything he has done. He writes that Napoleon, destined for the "unfree", "sad" role of the executioner of many nations, nevertheless assured himself that their good was the goal of his actions and that he could dispose of and lead the destinies of many people, do his power of good deeds. Napoleon imagined that the war with Russia took place according to his will, his soul was not struck by the horror of what had happened (volume three, part two, chapter 38).
Napoleonic qualities of the heroes of the work
In other heroes of the work, Lev Nikolaevich associates Napoleonic qualities with the characters' lack of moral feeling (for example, Helen) or with their tragic delusions. Thus, in his youth, Pierre Bezukhov, who was carried away by the ideas of the French emperor, remained in Moscow in order to kill him and thereby become "the deliverer of mankind." In the early stages of his spiritual life, Andrei Bolkonsky dreamed of rising above other people, even if this required sacrificing loved ones and family. In the depiction of Lev Nikolaevich, Napoleonism is a dangerous disease that divides people. She makes them wander blindly along the spiritual "impassability".
Introduction
Historical figures have always been of particular interest in Russian literature. Dedicated to some individual works, others are key images in the plots of novels. The image of Napoleon in the novel "War and Peace" by Tolstoy can also be considered as such. We meet the name of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Tolstoy wrote exactly to Bonaparte, and many heroes called him only Buonoparte) already on the first pages of the novel, and we part only in the epilogue.
Heroes of the novel about Napoleon
In the drawing room of Anna Scherer (the maid of honor and the empress's close associate), they discuss with great interest the political actions of Europe in relation to Russia. The owner of the salon herself says: "Prussia has already announced that Bonaparte is invincible and that the whole of Europe can do nothing against him ...". Representatives secular society- Prince Vasily Kuragin, an emigrant invited by Anna Scherer, Viscount Mortemar, Abbot Morio, Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, Prince Ippolit Kuragin and other members of the evening were not united in their attitude to Napoleon. Someone did not understand him, someone admired him. In War and Peace, Tolstoy showed Napoleon from different angles. We see him as a general-strategist, as an emperor, as a person.
Andrey Bolkonsky
In a conversation with his father, the old prince Bolkonsky, Andrei says: “... but Bonaparte still great commander! ". He considered him a "genius" and "could not afford shame for his hero." At Anna Pavlovna Scherer's evening, Andrei supported Pierre Bezukhov in his judgments about Napoleon, but nevertheless retained his own opinion about him: “Napoleon is great as a man on the Arkolsky bridge, in a hospital in Jaffa, where he shakes hands with the plague, but ... there are other actions that are difficult to justify. " But after a while, lying on the field of Austerlitz and looking at the blue sky, Andrei heard Napoleon's words about him: "Here is a wonderful death." Bolkonsky understood: "... it was Napoleon - his hero, but at that moment Napoleon seemed to him such a small, insignificant person ..." While examining the prisoners, Andrei thought "about the insignificance of greatness." Disappointment in his hero came not only to Bolkonsky, but also to Pierre Bezukhov.
Pierre Bezukhov
Having just appeared in the world, young and naive Pierre zealously defended Napoleon from the attacks of the Viscount: “Napoleon is great, because he became higher than the revolution, suppressed its abuses, keeping everything good - and equality of citizens, and freedom of speech and press, - and nothing more therefore I acquired power. " Pierre recognized the "greatness of the soul" for the French emperor. He did not defend the assassinations of the French emperor, but the calculation of his actions for the good of the empire, the willingness to take on such a responsible task - to raise the revolution - this seemed to Bezukhov a real feat, the strength of a great man. But when faced face to face with his "idol", Pierre saw the emperor's insignificance, cruelty and lack of rights. He cherished the idea of killing Napoleon, but realized that he was not worth it, since he did not even deserve a heroic death.
Nikolay Rostov
This young man called Napoleon a criminal. He believed that all his actions were illegal and out of the naivety of his soul he hated Bonaparte “as best he could”.
Boris Drubetskoy
A promising young officer, protégé of Vasily Kuragin, spoke of Napoleon with respect: "I would like to see a great man!"
Count Rostopchin
The representative of the secular society, the defender of the Russian army said about Bonaparte: "Napoleon treats Europe like a pirate on a conquered ship."
Characteristics of Napoleon
The ambiguous characterization of Napoleon in Tolstoy's novel War and Peace is presented to the reader. On the one hand, he is a great commander, sovereign, on the other, an "insignificant Frenchie", "a servile emperor." Outward features bring Napoleon down to the ground, he is not as tall, not as handsome, he is fat and unpleasant, as we would like to see him. It was "a stout, short figure with broad thick shoulders and an involuntarily thrust forward belly and chest." Description of Napoleon is present in different parts novel. Here he is before the Battle of Austerlitz: “... his thin face did not move a single muscle; shining eyes were motionlessly fixed on one place ... He stood motionless ... and on his cold face there was that special shade of self-confident, deserved happiness that happens on the face of a loving and happy boy. " By the way, this day was especially solemn for him, since it was the day of the anniversary of his coronation. But we see him at a meeting with General Balashev, who arrived with a letter from Tsar Alexander: "... firm, decisive steps", "round belly ... fat thighs of short legs ... White plump neck ... On a youthful full face... an expression of the gracious and majestic imperial greeting. " The scene of the awarding of the order by Napoleon to the bravest Russian soldier is also interesting. What did Napoleon want to show? Your greatness, humiliation of the Russian army and the emperor himself, or admiration for the courage and fortitude of the soldiers?
Portrait of Napoleon
Bonaparte valued himself very much: “God gave me a crown. Woe to the one who touches her. " These words were uttered by him during his coronation in Milan. Napoleon in War and Peace is an idol for someone, an enemy for someone. "The trembling of my left calf is great sign"- Napoleon said about himself. He was proud of himself, he loved himself, he glorified his greatness over the whole world. Russia stood in his way. Having defeated Russia, he did not have to work hard to crush all of Europe under him. Napoleon behaved arrogantly. In the scene of a conversation with the Russian general Balashev, Bonaparte allowed himself to tug at his ear, saying that it was a great honor to be tugged behind the ear by the emperor. Description of Napoleon contains many words containing a negative connotation, especially Tolstoy characterizes the speech of the emperor: "condescending", "mocking", "spiteful", "angry", "dry", etc. Bonaparte also boldly speaks about the Russian emperor Alexander: “War is my trade, and his business is to reign, and not to command troops. Why did he take on such responsibility? "
The image of Napoleon revealed in this work in War and Peace allows us to conclude: Bonaparte's mistake in overestimating his capabilities and excessive self-confidence. Wanting to become the ruler of the world, Napoleon was unable to defeat Russia. This defeat broke his spirit and confidence in his strength.
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In the four-volume novel by L.N. Tolstoy depicts many people, both fictional characters and real historical characters... Napoleon is one of them and one of the few who is present in the novel literally from the first and almost to the last page.
Moreover, for Tolstoy, Napoleon is not just a historical figure, a commander who moved his troops to Russia and was defeated here. The writer is interested in him both as a person endowed with his human qualities, advantages and disadvantages, and as the embodiment of individualism, a person who is confident that he is above everyone and everything is allowed to him, and as a figure with whom the novelist connects the most complex moral issues.
The disclosure of this image is important both for the perception of the entire novel as a whole and for a number of the main characters: Andrei Bolkonsky, Pierre Bezukhov, Kutuzov, Alexander I, and for understanding philosophical views the author himself. The image of Napoleon - not a great man and commander, but a conqueror and enslaver allowed Tolstoy to give his picture of a vision in the novel real forces stories and roles of prominent personalities.
The novel contains a number of episodes that speak of Napoleon's undoubted military leadership experience and talent. Throughout the entire Aus-terlitsk campaign, he is shown as a commander who is well versed in the combat situation and who has not been spared military successes. He quickly understood both the tactical plan of Kutuzov, who proposed an armistice at Gollabrunn, and the annoying mistake of Murat, who agreed to start negotiations for peace. Before Austerlitz, Napoleon outwitted the Russian envoy Dolgorukov, instilling in him the false idea of his fear of a general battle in order to lull the enemy's vigilance and bring his troops as close to him as possible, which then ensured victory in the battle.
When describing the crossing of the French across the Niemen, Tolstoy mentions that the standing ovation bothered Napoleon when he gave himself up to military concerns. In the picture of the Battle of Borodino, which illustrates Tolstoy's philosophical thesis that it is impossible for the commander-in-chief to keep up with his orders in the rapidly changing situation during the battle, Napoleon discovers knowledge of the intricacies of the combat situation. It takes into account the vulnerability of the left wing defenses of the Russian position. After Murat's request for reinforcements, Napoleon thought: "What are they asking for reinforcements when they have half of the army in their hands, directed at the weak, unfortified wing of the Russians."
When describing the Battle of Borodino, Tolstoy twice speaks of the long-term experience of Napoleon as a commander. It was this experience that helped Napoleon understand the difficulty and results of the Battle of Borodino: “Napoleon, after his long experience of the war, knew well what“ it meant for eight hours, after all the efforts used, the battle was not won by the attackers. ”Elsewhere, the author again speaks of the military erudition of the commander , who "with great tact and experience of war calmly and joyfully performed his role ...".
And it is not surprising that in 1805, in the midst of the rise and victories of Napoleon, twenty-year-old Pierre rushes to the defense of the French emperor, when in the Scherer salon he is called a usurper, antichrist, upstart, murderer and villain, and Andrei Bolkonsky speaks of Napoleon's undisputed greatness.
But Tolstoy wants to show in the novel not the life of one person or a group of people, he seeks to embody the people's thought in it. Therefore, Napoleon is sometimes ridiculous in his conviction that he leads the battles and the course of history; and the strength of Kutuzov lies in the fact that he relies on a spontaneously expressed popular will, takes into account the mood of the people.
And in general, in the first two volumes, the writer prefers that the reader sees Napoleon not with his Tolstoy's eyes, but with the eyes of the heroes of the novel. A triangular hat and a gray marching frock coat, a bold and straight gait - this is how Prince Andrei and Pierre represent him, this is how defeated Europe knew him. At first glance, Tolstoy also looks like this: “The troops knew about the presence of the emperor, searched for him with gases, and when they found a figure in a frock coat and a hat who had separated from their retinue on the mountain in front of the tent, they threw up their hats and shouted:“ Vivat! On the faces of these people there was one common expression of joy at the beginning of the long-awaited campaign and delight and devotion to a man in a gray frock coat standing on the mountain. "
Such is Napoleon Tolstoy and on the day when he ordered his troops to cross the Neman River, thereby starting a war with Russia. But soon it will become different, because for the writer this image is primarily the embodiment of war, and war is "an event that is contrary to human reason and human nature."
In the third volume, Tolstoy no longer hides his hatred of Napoleon, he will give vent to sarcasm, he will scoff at a man who was adored by thousands of people. Why does Tolstoy hate Napoleon so much?
“For him, it was not new to the conviction that his presence at all ends of the world, from Africa to the steppes of Muscovy, equally strikes and plunges people into a madness of self-forgetfulness ... A man of forty lancers drowned in the river ... Most washed back to this bank ... But as soon as they got out ... they shouted: "Vivat!"
All this does not please Tolstoy, moreover, it outrages him. Napoleon is indifferent when he sees that people are senselessly dying in the river out of devotion to him. Napoleon admits the idea that he is almost a deity, that he can and should decide the fate of other people, doom them to death, make them happy or unhappy ... Tolstoy knows: such an understanding of power leads to crime, brings evil. Therefore, as a writer, he sets himself the task of debunking Napoleon, destroying the legend of his singularity.
For the first time we see Napoleon on the banks of the Nemunas. The second time was in the house where Alexander I lived four days ago. Napoleon received the messenger of the Russian Tsar. Tolstoy describes Napoleon without the slightest distortion, but emphasizing the details: “He was in a blue uniform, open over a white waistcoat that descended on a round belly, in white leggings that hugged the fat thighs of short legs, and in boots ... His whole stout, short figure with wide thick shoulders and an involuntarily thrust forward belly and chest, she had that representative, dignified appearance that forty-year-old people living in the hall always have ”.
Everything is true. And a round belly, and short legs, and thick shoulders. Tolstoy speaks several times about "the quivering of the calf in Napoleon's left leg", and again and again reminds of his bulkiness, of his short figure. Tolstoy does not want to see anything extraordinary. A man, like everyone else, who has grown fat in due time; just a person who allowed himself to believe that he is not like other people. And from this follows another property that Tolstoy hates - unnaturalness.
In the portrait of Napoleon, who came out to meet the envoy of the Russian Tsar, his tendency to “make oneself” is persistently emphasized: he had just combed his hair, but “one strand of hair went down over the middle of a wide forehead” - this was Napoleon’s hairstyle known to the whole world, it was imitated, it is needed was to save. Even the fact that he smelled of cologne arouses Tolstoy's anger, because it means that Napoleon is very busy with himself and with the impression he makes on others: in his concept, everything that he did was good, not because it converged with the idea of what is good and bad, but because he did it. "
This is Napoleon Tolstoy. Not majestic, but ridiculous in his conviction that history is moved by his will, that all people should pray for him. Tolstoy showed how they idolized Napoleon, and how he himself always wanted to appear as a great man. All of his gestures are designed to arouse special attention. He is constantly acting. He gives the signal to start the Battle of Austerlitz with a glove taken from his hand. In Tilsit, in front of the guard of honor, he tears, removing from his hand, a glove and throws it on the ground, knowing that it will be noticed. And on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, receiving a courtier who came from Paris, he puts on a small performance in front of a portrait of his son. In a word, Tolstoy always shows in Napoleon frank desire fame and how he constantly plays the role of a great man.
The image of Napoleon allows Tolstoy to pose the question: can greatness and glory be mistaken for life ideal? And the writer, as we can see, gives a negative answer to it. As Tolstoy writes, "the exposed masters of the world cannot oppose any rational ideal to the Napoleonic ideal of glory and greatness, which has no meaning." The denial of this egoistic, artificial, illusory ideal is one of the main methods of debunking Napoleon himself in the novel War and Peace.
Therefore, Andrei Bolkonsky, on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, speaks of Napoleon's absence of “the highest, best human qualities- love, poetry, tenderness, philosophical, inquiring doubt. " According to Bolkonsky, he was "happy with the misfortune of others."
Seven chapters out of twenty are devoted to Napoleon, describing the Borodino battle. Here he dresses, changes clothes, gives orders, goes around the position, listens to the orderlies ... Fight for him is the same game, but this main game he loses. And from that moment Napoleon begins to experience a real "feeling of terror in front of the enemy who, having lost half of the army, stood as formidable at the end as at the beginning of the battle."
According to Tolstoy's theory, Napoleon the invader was powerless in the Russian war. To some extent, this is so. But it is better to recall other words of the same Tolstoy that Napoleon simply turned out to be weaker than his opponent - "the strongest in spirit." And such a view of Napoleon in no way contradicts either history or laws. artistic perception personality, which the great writer followed.
- Introduction
- Heroes of the novel about Napoleon
- Andrey Bolkonsky
- Pierre Bezukhov
- Nikolay Rostov
- Boris Drubetskoy
- Count Rostopchin
- Characteristics of Napoleon
- Portrait of Napoleon
Introduction
Historical figures have always been of particular interest in Russian literature. Some are dedicated to individual works, others are key images in the plots of novels. The image of Napoleon in the novel "War and Peace" by Tolstoy can also be considered as such. We meet the name of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Tolstoy wrote exactly to Bonaparte, and many heroes called him only Buonoparte) already on the first pages of the novel, and we part only in the epilogue.
Heroes of the novel about Napoleon
In the drawing room of Anna Scherer (the maid of honor and the empress's close associate), they discuss with great interest the political actions of Europe in relation to Russia. The owner of the salon herself says: "Prussia has already announced that Bonaparte is invincible and that the whole of Europe can do nothing against him ...". Representatives of the secular society - Prince Vasily Kuragin, the emigrant Viscount Mortemar invited by Anna Scherer, Abbot Morio, Pierre Bezukhov, Andrei Bolkonsky, Prince Ippolit Kuragin and other members of the evening were not united in their attitude to Napoleon.
Someone did not understand him, someone admired him. In War and Peace, Tolstoy showed Napoleon from different angles. We see him as a general-strategist, as an emperor, as a person.
Andrey Bolkonsky
In a conversation with his father, the old prince Bolkonsky, Andrei says: "... but Bonaparte is still a great commander!" He considered him a "genius" and "could not afford shame for his hero." At Anna Pavlovna Scherer's evening, Andrei supported Pierre Bezukhov in his judgments about Napoleon, but nevertheless retained his own opinion about him: “Napoleon is great as a man on the Arkolsky bridge, in a hospital in Jaffa, where he shakes hands with the plague, but ... there are other actions that are difficult to justify. " But after a while, lying on the field of Austerlitz and looking at the blue sky, Andrei heard Napoleon's words about him: "Here is a wonderful death." Bolkonsky understood: "... it was Napoleon - his hero, but at that moment Napoleon seemed to him such a small, insignificant person ..." While examining the prisoners, Andrei thought "about the insignificance of greatness." Disappointment in his hero came not only to Bolkonsky, but also to Pierre Bezukhov.
Pierre Bezukhov
Having just appeared in the world, young and naive Pierre zealously defended Napoleon from the attacks of the Viscount: “Napoleon is great, because he became higher than the revolution, suppressed its abuses, keeping everything good - and equality of citizens, and freedom of speech and press, - and nothing more therefore I acquired power. " Pierre recognized the "greatness of the soul" for the French emperor. He did not defend the assassinations of the French emperor, but the calculation of his actions for the good of the empire, the willingness to take on such a responsible task - to raise the revolution - this seemed to Bezukhov a real feat, the strength of a great man. But when faced face to face with his "idol", Pierre saw the emperor's insignificance, cruelty and lack of rights. He cherished the idea of killing Napoleon, but realized that he was not worth it, since he did not even deserve a heroic death.
Nikolay Rostov
This young man called Napoleon a criminal. He believed that all his actions were illegal and out of the naivety of his soul he hated Bonaparte “as best he could”.
Boris Drubetskoy
A promising young officer, protégé of Vasily Kuragin, spoke of Napoleon with respect: "I would like to see a great man!"
Count Rostopchin
The representative of the secular society, the defender of the Russian army said about Bonaparte: "Napoleon treats Europe like a pirate on a conquered ship."
Characteristics of Napoleon
The ambiguous characterization of Napoleon in Tolstoy's novel War and Peace is presented to the reader. On the one hand, he is a great commander, sovereign, on the other, an "insignificant Frenchie", "a servile emperor." Outward features bring Napoleon down to the ground, he is not as tall, not as handsome, he is fat and unpleasant, as we would like to see him. It was "a stout, short figure with broad thick shoulders and an involuntarily thrust forward belly and chest." Description of Napoleon is present in different parts of the novel. Here he is before the Battle of Austerlitz: “... his thin face did not move a single muscle; shining eyes were motionlessly fixed on one place ... He stood motionless ... and on his cold face there was that special shade of self-confident, deserved happiness that happens on the face of a loving and happy boy. " By the way, this day was especially solemn for him, since it was the day of the anniversary of his coronation. But we see him at a meeting with General Balashev, who arrived with a letter from Tsar Alexander: "... firm, decisive steps", "round belly ... fat thighs of short legs ... White plump neck ... On a youthful full face ... an expression of gracious and majestic imperial greeting ". The scene of the awarding of the order by Napoleon to the bravest Russian soldier is also interesting. What did Napoleon want to show? Your greatness, humiliation of the Russian army and the emperor himself, or admiration for the courage and fortitude of the soldiers?
Portrait of Napoleon
Bonaparte valued himself very much: “God gave me a crown. Woe to the one who touches her. " These words were uttered by him during his coronation in Milan. Napoleon in War and Peace is an idol for someone, an enemy for someone. “The trembling of my left calf is a great sign,” Napoleon said about himself. He was proud of himself, he loved himself, he glorified his greatness over the whole world. Russia stood in his way. Having defeated Russia, he did not have to work hard to crush all of Europe under him. Napoleon behaved arrogantly. In the scene of a conversation with the Russian general Balashev, Bonaparte allowed himself to tug at his ear, saying that it was a great honor to be tugged behind the ear by the emperor. Description of Napoleon contains many words containing a negative connotation, especially Tolstoy characterizes the speech of the emperor: "condescending", "mocking", "spiteful", "angry", "dry", etc. Bonaparte also boldly speaks about the Russian emperor Alexander: “War is my trade, and his business is to reign, and not to command troops. Why did he take on such responsibility? "