Off-Topic > The Lounge
Napoleon Bonaparte
Indreams:
I am a Korean student in America currently studying European History.
The class just began covering the French Revolution. As there are many Europeans in GOIO community, I wanted to ask this question.
What do you guys think of Napoleon Bonaparte?
I consider him an epitome of self-made man. I take a similar stance as Emerson when I say he was the representative of Enlightenment Europeans.
I'm sure others would have justified, valuable views on Napoleon. I would like to hear other views.
Btw, moderators, feel free to lock this thread if it becomes over political or disrespectful to other members.
Thank you for reading,
Indreams
DJ Logicalia:
OH THIS IS SO INTERESTING
I love it when people from other places learn about historical figures for the first (?) time. It's so interesting to hear the perspectives without all the cultural baggage
I can't speak for all Americans, but from my understanding, Napoleon's stereotype (which I would assume we got from the British) was that of a short tempered and shot in stature fellow. A stout, grouchy man with an inferiority complex. I suppose more scholarly folks would say different, because stereotypes are usually wrong (as they are in this case). I wouldn't agree he was a representative of the enlightenment, though. When I think "Enlightenment", I'm instantly drawn to Descartes and Hume and Locke and Kant and all the other brilliant thinkers of that time and the philosophical movements and the changes in religion. Less from a military perspective, and more from a thought perspective, but this could be my classical education clouding my perception of history, once again >_<
Super interesting post :D
Schwalbe:
As every human being he had certain flaws, as far as I remember well what I learned myself a few years ago? He had a good start with tactics, but with every battle he was getting more and more arrogant. The summit of his arrogance was at Waterloo, when he decided to take a nap, as in his own consideration the battle was already won and there was nothing to screw up, so he gave command to one of his lieutenants. Well, guess what. Cavarly chasing infantry behind the hill - shit, it can't be trap, right? Nooooo they're so beaten. Oh, carronades are standing there OH SHIT.
I remember also that he was known for being rather impetuous and bad tempered.
Kamoba:
I'm not the best at history, but have been to almost every castle in the Slovak Republic, so if your studies take you the central Europe (I imagine you'll touch upon Elizabeth Bathory) I may be able to help out with some local folk lore. :)
Andika:
What I remember most clearly about him is the funny anecdote when someone once commented about his height (Napoleon was a short fellow).
The person said, "I am at least a head taller than you".
To which Napoleon pulled out his sword (or was it a dagger?) and said, "Well, we can easily remedy that.."
Not sure if that really happened, but it is a well-known historical anecdote. :D
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