War and Peace · primary
Napoleon Bonaparte
historical · male
A historical figure referenced in a tale told by the vicomte.
Aliases
Napoleon · Bonaparte · Buonaparte · Emperor Napoleon · L’Empereur Napoléon · The Emperor · sire · Napoléon le Grand · Napoleon I · His Majesty
Titles
Emperor · French Emperor · sire · Your Majesty · His Majesty the Emperor and King
Appearances
- First: Book ONE · Chapter IV · ¶ 7
- Latest: Book SECOND EPILOGUE · Chapter IX · ¶ 8
Relationships
Enemy · Prince Andrew Bolkónski
“he knew it was Napoleon—his hero—but at that moment Napoleon seemed to him such a small, insignificant creature”
Political alliance · the Emperor
“Napoleon said something to Alexander, and both Emperors dismounted and took each other’s hands.”
Political alliance · the Emperor
“the intimacy between 'the world’s two arbiters,' as Napoleon and Alexander were called”
Enemy · Emperor of Austria
“when Napoleon declared war on Austria”
Political alliance · Balashëv
“Balashëv to repeat them personally to Napoleon.”
Political alliance · Emperor Alexander
“Assure the Emperor Alexander from me, that I am as devoted to him as before: I know him thoroughly and very highly esteem his lofty qualities.”
Social acquaintance · Balashëv
“Napoleon met Balashëv cheerfully and amiably.”
Social acquaintance · Balashëv
“Napoleon not only treated him amiably but behaved as if Balashëv were one of his own courtiers.”
Friendship · Prince Andrew Bolkónski
“the Emperor, recognizing Bolkónski, addressed him graciously.”
Political alliance · Count Rostopchín
“The Emperor has deigned to summon us and the merchants.”
Political alliance · Nicholas Rostov
“Yes, most precious... a royal word,” said Count Rostóv, with a sob.”
Conversation · Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov
“I am sending one of my adjutants-general to discuss several interesting questions with you.”
Conversation · Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov
“I should be cursed by posterity were I looked on as the initiator of a settlement of any sort.”
Enemy · Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov
“Kutúzov replied to this letter as he had done to the one formerly brought by Lauriston, saying that there could be no question of peace.”
“the destruction of the French, which he alone foresaw, was his heart’s one desire.”
Military command · the vice-King
“You command only my advance guard, and have no right to arrange an armistice without my order.”
Military command · Nicholas Rostov
“He knew that he might and even ought to go straight to him and give the message Dolgorúkov had ordered him to deliver.”
Military command (marshal) · Davout
“Davout was to Napoleon what Arakchéev was to Alexander”
Patronage · Lavrúshka
“Napoleon, after making the Cossack a present, had him set free like a bird restored to its native fields.”
Military command · Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov
“I see that an enemy corps of ten thousand men is moving on the Petersburg road... You will be responsible if the enemy is able to direct a force of any size against Petersburg to threaten this capital...”
Quotations
““the vicomte has been telling us such a tale about Mademoiselle George and Buonaparte!””
““There is a war now against Napoleon.”
“imagined himself to be Napoleon in person”
“negotiate with Napoleon”
“I am convinced that he fears nothing so much as a general engagement”
“while Napoleon’s proclamation was being read to the troops”
“Napoleon stood with his marshals around him”
“Napoleon, in the blue cloak which he had worn on his Italian campaign”
“Today was a great day for him—the anniversary of his coronation”
“curses on Bonaparte, 'the enemy of mankind'”
“when mischief-makers don’t meddle even a German beats Buonaparte”
“alluding to Napoleon, whom hitherto he, like everyone else, had always called Buonaparte”
“Napoleon pass before the French Guards”
“an aide-de-camp of Napoleon’s”
“Bonaparte and the French were still regarded”
“Napoleon the Order of St. Andrew of the First Degree”
“Rostóv recognized Napoleon.”
“Alexander treated Bonaparte as an equal.”
“This was said by the undersized Napoleon.”
“Napoleon, accentuating each syllable.”
“Napoleon, without looking, pressed two fingers together.”
“he had more than once met and talked with Napoleon”
“Napoleon himself had noticed her in the theater and said of her: 'C’est un superbe animal.'”
“the reason for this is Buonaparte!”
“my father cannot stand the notion that Buonaparte is negotiating on equal terms with all the sovereigns of Europe.”
“the ambition of Napoleon”
“for Napoleon to have written to Alexander”
“Napoleon’s ambition”
“had Napoleon not taken offense”
“Though Napoleon at that time, in 1812, was more convinced than ever that it depended on him”
“Napoleon left Dresden”
“the Emperor Napoleon himself wrote a letter to Alexander”
“the Emperor’s presence”
“Napoleon looked up and down the river”
“Napoleon also gave instructions”
“Yesterday I learned that, despite the loyalty with which I have kept my engagements with Your Majesty, your troops have crossed the Russian frontier”
“to transmit those words to Napoleon”
“the Emperor Napoleon’s wish to honor him with an audience”
“waiting for Napoleon to come out”
“I will detain you no longer, General; you shall receive my letter”
“Napoleon met Balashëv cheerfully and amiably.”
“The Emperor was in very good spirits after his ride through Vílna”
“But a large number of monasteries and churches is always a sign of the backwardness of a people”
“Napoleon was in that well-known after-dinner mood”
“And let him know that I will do so!”
“a fresh movement by Napoleon which might endanger the army”
“prophecy concerning Napoleon, drawn from the Revelation of St. John”
“Napoleon was therefore the beast foretold in the Apocalypse”
“Napoleon began the war with Russia”
“neither Napoleon, nor Alexander”
“despite Napoleon’s experience and so-called military genius”
“Napoleon did not foresee the danger of the advance on Moscow”
“Napoleon’s historian Thiers”
“After Smolénsk Napoleon sought a battle”
“this Moscow gave Napoleon’s imagination no rest”
“Well? asked Napoleon.”
“Napoleon told him to ride by his side”
“Finding himself in the company of Napoleon”
“for Napoleon’s plain appearance had nothing about it that would reveal to an Oriental mind the presence of a monarch”
“Napoleon turned to Berthier and said he wished to see how the news that he was talking to the Emperor himself”
“Napoleon, after making the Cossack a present, had him set free”
“Napoleon rode on, dreaming of the Moscow that so appealed to his imagination”
“they questioned Lavrúshka about Napoleon and laughed at his stories...”
““The French,” replied Ilyín jestingly, “and here is Napoleon himself”—and he pointed to Lavrúshka.”
“Napoleon offered and Kutúzov accepted that battle.”
“it must have been obvious to Napoleon that by advancing thirteen hundred miles and giving battle with a probability of losing a quarter of his army, he was advancing to certain destruction”
“Napoleon, who was said to be a commander of genius, gave it, losing a quarter of his army”
“Napoleon, riding to Valúevo on the twenty-fourth, did not see (as the history books say he did) the position of the Russians”
“either Napoleon or Murat was there”
“Napoleon’s quarters at Valúevo”
“The Emperor Napoleon had not yet left his bedroom”
“So much the worse for the Russian army.... Go on... harder, harder!”
“I must make up for that in Moscow”
“the son borne to Napoleon by the daughter of the Emperor of Austria”
“The King of Rome!”
“Before Moscow!”
“Napoleon spent the whole day on horseback inspecting the locality”
“the Emperor and his marshals”
“Napoleon rode over the plain and surveyed the locality”
“Napoleon pondered a little in silence”
“Napoleon’s orders to deal with four points”
“of which Napoleon was unaware”
“Napoleon was so far away that, as appeared later, he could not know the course of the battle”
“if he had not had a cold the orders he gave before and during the battle would have been still more full of genius”
“the valet who omitted to bring Napoleon his waterproof boots”
“the slaughter of eighty thousand men at Borodinó was not due to Napoleon’s will”
“At the battle of Borodinó Napoleon shot at no one and killed no one”
“not because of Napoleon’s orders but by their own volition”
“Napoleon’s proclamation offering them, as compensation for mutilation and death”
“it was not Napoleon who directed the course of the battle”
“Napoleon’s cold on the twenty-sixth of August was unimportant”
“the battle of Borodinó was the first Napoleon did not win”
“Napoleon at the battle of Borodinó fulfilled his office as representative of authority”
“Napoleon remarked:”
“Napoleon went to rest before the serious business which, he considered, awaited him next day.”
“Napoleon asked him.”
“But the Guards, Rapp, the Guards are intact?”
“asked Napoleon sternly.”
“Napoleon remarked, sniffing at his glass.”
“asked he.”
“Tomorrow we shall have to deal with Kutúzov!”
“Napoleon stopped in front of him.”
“Napoleon rode to the village of Shevárdino.”
“Napoleon with his suite rode up to the Shevárdino Redoubt where he dismounted.”
“where Napoleon was standing”
“Napoleon’s face”
“Napoleon, standing on the knoll”
“Napoleon with reports of the progress of the action”
“Napoleon that their attack had been repulsed”
“Napoleon and issued orders”
“The attack directed by Napoleon against our left flank had been several times repulsed.”
“produced an unexpected impression on Napoleon”
“said Napoleon in a hoarse voice”
“Napoleon, predestined by Providence for the gloomy role of executioner of the peoples”
“with the assurance of Napoleon’s invincibility”
“the direct consequence of the battle of Borodinó was Napoleon’s senseless flight from Moscow”
“a detailed biography of Napoleon”
“Every soldier in Napoleon’s army felt this and the invasion moved on by its own momentum.”
“Have I really allowed Napoleon to reach Moscow”
“by his accounts of horrors Napoleon had committed in conquered countries”
“to fight Napoleon”
“Napoleon was standing among his troops on the Poklónny Hill looking at the panorama spread out before him.”
“In what light must I appear to them!” thought he, thinking of his troops.”
“The position was the more awkward because the Emperor, meditating upon his magnanimous plans, was pacing patiently up and down before the outspread map, occasionally glancing along the road to Moscow from under his lifted hand with a bright and proud smile.”
“when Napoleon, weary, uneasy, and morose, paced up and down in front of the Kámmer-Kollézski rampart”
“When with due circumspection Napoleon was informed that Moscow was empty”
““My carriage!” he said.”
““Moscow deserted!” he said to himself.”
“for Napoleon had passed the Arbát more than four hours previously”
“Napoleon or I,” said the Emperor, touching his breast.”
“because Napoleon wished it”
“destroyed Napoleon”
“if Napoleon had not remained inactive”
“if on approaching Tarútino, Napoleon had attacked the Russians”
“Napoleon himself was in Moscow as late as the twenty-fifth”
“the shock which Napoleon’s army had only awaited”
“Napoleon enters Moscow after the brilliant victory de la Moskowa”
“Napoleon’s position is most brilliant”
“Napoleon, the man of genius, did this!”
“the historians quite falsely represent Napoleon’s faculties as having weakened in Moscow”
“His activity in Moscow was as amazing and as full of genius as elsewhere”
“Napoleon immediately on his entry into Moscow gave General Sabastiani strict orders”
“Napoleon summoned Captain Yákovlev”
“Napoleon decreed that all the troops in turn should enter Moscow à la maraude”
“Napoleon ordered the priests to be brought back”
“Napoleon also did all in his power”
“Napoleon’s wish that it should be blown up when he left Moscow”
“Napoleon’s arguments as to his magnanimity and justice”
“Napoleon’s attempt to stop the looting and re-establish discipline”
“Napoleon, too, carried away his own personal trésor”
“the skillful tactics and aims of Napoleon and his army”
“Napoleon, who seems to us to have been the leader of all these movements”
“or Napoleon”
“another envoy came to Kutúzov with a letter from Napoleon proposing peace”
“that Napoleon was there and the whole army had left Moscow”
“he thought too of the possibility (which he feared most of all) that Napoleon might fight him with his own weapon and remain in Moscow awaiting him.”
“What news have you brought me? Eh? That Napoleon has left Moscow?”
“Napoleon’s historians describe to us his skilled maneuvers”
“Napoleon himself and all his soldiers--fled”
“Napoleon rode out early in the morning”
“Napoleon with his forty-year-old stomach understood that hint”
“nor that they were told so (on the contrary their superior officers, and Napoleon himself, knew that provisions were scarce there)”
“All Napoleon’s wars serve to confirm this rule.”
“Napoleon felt this, and from the time he took up the correct fencing attitude in Moscow...”
“that genius, Napoleon”
“Napoleon’s armies made their presence known”
“the Emperor”
“Ney, who came last, had been busying himself blowing up the walls of Smolénsk which were in nobody’s way, because despite the unfortunate plight of the French or because of it, they wished to punish the floor against which they had hurt themselves. Ney, who had had a corps of ten thousand men, reached Napoleon at Orshá with only one thousand men left”
“Napoleon’s arrangements, the maneuvers, and his profound plans”
“Napoleon, escaping home in a warm fur coat”
“Sublime! Grand! Napoléon le Grand!”
“the aim of the Russians consisted in cutting off and capturing Napoleon and his marshals”
“Napoleon’s disorganized army was flying from Russia”
“stumbled instead on Napoleon himself with sixteen thousand men”
“they much regretted not having taken Napoleon”
“he had quite lost his head, and that it was probable that he had an understanding with Napoleon”
“frightened of the name of Napoleon”
“Napoleon—that most insignificant tool of history who never anywhere, even in exile, showed human dignity”
““And did you really see and speak to Napoleon, as we have been told?” said Princess Mary.”
“from Alexander and Napoleon to Madame de Staël”
“his struggle with Napoleon”
“the activity of Alexander or of Napoleon cannot be called useful or harmful”
“we shall have no need to see exceptional ability and genius in Napoleon”
“his ideal of grandeur and glory, which seems excellent and reasonable to them all.”
“Napoleon himself is no longer of any account; all his actions are evidently pitiful and mean”
“at the time when Napoleon in exile was drawing up childish and mendacious plans of how he would have made mankind happy had he retained power”
“God, to reward or punish his people, gave Napoleon power and directed his will to the fulfillment of the divine ends”
“At that time there was in France a man of genius—Napoleon. He conquered everybody everywhere—that is, he killed many people because he was a great genius.”
“Napoleon led six hundred thousand men into Russia and captured Moscow; then he suddenly ran away from Moscow”
“the Allies defeated Napoleon, entered Paris, forced Napoleon to abdicate, and sent him to the island of Elba”
“But the Allied monarchs were angry at this and went to fight the French once more. And they defeated the genius Napoleon and, suddenly recognizing him as a brigand, sent him to the island of St. Helena.”
“an event was produced by Napoleon’s power”
“Napoleon’s power suppressed the ideas of the Revolution”
“it is possible to understand that Napoleon had power and so events occurred”
“by what force did Napoleon do this?”
“when Napoleon uttered certain words”
“Why was Napoleon I?”
“Was the will of the Russian people transferred to Napoleon in 1809”
“the biographies of a Napoleon”
“the lives of Napoleon, Rousseau, Diderot, Beaumarchais, and others”
“Napoleon III issues a decree and the French go to Mexico.”
“Napoleon I issues a decree and an army enters Russia.”
“When, for instance, we say that Napoleon ordered armies to go to war”
“If throughout his reign Napoleon gave commands concerning an invasion of England”
“in the case of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in which millions participated”
“we say that Napoleon wished to invade Russia and invaded it”
“decrees of Napoleon III”