Napolean Essay, Research Paper

The qualities of a Romantic hero are clearly displayed through the ambitions and actions of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon’s triumphs and ideas for France’s future truly made him a Romantic hero.

Napoleon, 19th century’s first Romantic hero, took over control of the French government in 1799. During his reign of power he got rid of serfdom, redistributed Church wealth, got rid of feudal privileges, and made his own French laws. He spread the ideals of life, liberty, equality for all. In France he favored public education and introduced his Napoleonic Code of law.

No one would have said to Napoleon, “Actions speak louder than words.” His actions are what he will be remembered for. He conquered Italy, Egypt, Austria, Prussia, Portugal, and Spain. He finally tasted the bitterness of defeat when he tried to invade Russia. He tried to rise to power again, but was defeated at Waterloo by the English duke of Wellington. However, even in his years of exile and despair he had a heroic conscious. He wrote in his diary during his exile, “I raised myself from nothing to be the most powerful monarch in the world. Europe was at my feet…sovereignty lay in the people.” Napoleon never gave up and always reached for perfection. These characteristics made him the Romantic hero that he was.