# Napoleon Bonaparte — Essays character guide

> Napoleon Bonaparte in Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0001-self-reliance

## Who they are

French military and political leader frequently cited as an example of power and character.

## In the story

### [History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/history)

Quoted defining history as 'a fable agreed upon,' underscoring the chapter's theme of history's fluid, interpretative nature.

### [Spiritual Laws](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/spiritual-laws)

Cited as a statesman who understood the law of spiritual affinity, sending an aristocrat to successfully penetrate the secrets of the Austrian cabinet.

### [Heroism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/heroism)

Implied through the context of historical figures of action and contradiction, though not directly named.

### [Experience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/experience)

Cited as speaking 'the language of the intellect' in his famous quote, 'It is worse than a crime, it is a blunder.'

### [Character](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/character)

Referenced for his phrase 'victory organized,' used to describe divinely endowed persons of character.

### [Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/chapters/politics)

Cited in the poem as an example of greatness ('Proved Napoleon great'), but whose power is implicitly contrasted with the higher, character-based authority of the 'wise man.'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters/napoleon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/emerson_essays_se/characters