Napoleon, the man with the biggest short man’s complex I have ever hear about. A Corsican native who took over France and large parts of Europe. He took over after a revolution that created civil war through out his state. As a bold military ruler he marched France from it’s lowest point to one of its highest. When Napoleon was captured they forced him to and island and he managed to escape to storm France once more. Napoleon’s only problem was he was to short. When he probably couldn’t see the vast land of Russia when shown on the map. He needed something to stand on before he throughly decided that France should move to Russia. That or he saw it, saw it was huge and wanted it. Either way Russia was the fall of Napoleon but he wasn’t the only one to be taken by this state. Many other rulers tried and failed. In my mind this need for Russia did not make Napoleon any weaker than Alexander the great because Napoleon is my hero and I admire him.
My favorite painting hangs on the walls at the Louvre; David’s “The Crowning of Josephine.” David was able to capture a moment of history that I wish that I was able to attend. You see another cool fact about Napoleon is that he went against the grain, against all powers, like the catholic church, and crowned himself Emperor of France. This is the ultimate way of saying in your face tradition you will listen to me because I am the Emperor.
I remember seeing this painting for the first time in European History my sophomore year. This is also where my love and admiration for Napoleon began. He was a non-conformist conquerer. He is the best thing to come out of French history right next to Albert Camus. David was able to capture one of the biggest events in human history and put it artistically. That to me is true art.
Emperor, when I think of this word the old man from Mulan pops into my head. He is wise, strong, resourceful, and brave. The Emperor leads his people and ensures that no harm will come to them. There is tradition behind this word. Things that have passed down from generation to generation. An Emperor is not called but is chosen to lead from a young age. The Emperor is a man of power who does not use his power to benefit himself but to lead and encourage those around him.
45 minutes
I've never thought about Napoleon like this, but then again I haven't much thought about him before. Regardless, I liked this blog post because it clearly shows where your affinity for Napoleon comes from. It shows where it began (sophmore year in high after veiwing a painting of Napoleon) and where it is now (Napoleon wasn't a conformist). Very orderly indeed, well done.
ReplyDeleteI was kind of expecting you to run with the whole "he's too short" idea throughout your writing so I was sad when I didn't see it anywhere besides the first paragraph. It could've been really funny, but it is your piece. I never thought of Napoleon as being someone's hero, it is very interesting though. One of my favorite parts was when you brought up the emperor from Mulan in the last paragraph (I watched it yesterday and it is so true).
ReplyDeleteSam, you rock. Thanks for this!
ReplyDelete