Theme Of Love In Napoleon

Love. Such a word is not to strong to describe what Henri felt towards his general and emperor, Napoleon. Hate. Such a word accurately describes the feelings that were harbored by Villanelle towards the same man, her conqueror and oppressor. If one single man can produce such contrary feelings from two people, then what does that say about him? What then is the meaning of Napoleon?
Through out the course of the novel, Napoleon plays different parts. Through the eyes of Henri he is both hero and villain, while the latter description is held most constantly by Villanelle. The true meaning of Napoleon in The Passion though, is more then just a type of character which can be assigned a literary label. If any other character in the book had the
For you see, passion by its nature is not governed by intellect or reason. For passion, and beings ruled by it, there is no difference between, need and desire. Napoleon though himself an intellectual possessing a mind of great reason, was not governed by these cerebral qualities. Intellect and reason came second. Instead of acting as primary guiding principles, they were rather secondary, as he used them to bring success to the endeavors to which his overwhelming passion drove him to undertake. This is where the true meaning of Napoleon is
Why then does Henri so enthusiastically throw himself into the services of Napoleon? Why does Villanelle pursue such a fickle relationship? Were they lost in youth and blinded by the romanticism of their quests? I say no. “Not much touches us, but we long to be touched. We lie awake at night willing the darkness to part and show us a vision.” This is what Napoleon offered Henri. This is what drove Villanelle to grab hold of her heart and play with fire. If it is true that we all lie awake willing for the darkness to part, then Napoleon is that parting force for Henri and millions of his countrymen. He took men who would otherwise spend their whole lives in the fields of their villages or the streets of their towns, and made them conquerors of Europe. He filled them with the hope and promise that they would conqueror their greatest enemy, England. It is as he told his men when he took command of the Army of Italy. “Soldiers, you are naked, ill fed! The Government owes you much; it can give you nothing. Your patience, the courage you display in the midst of these rocks, are admirable; but they procure you no glory, no fame is reflected upon you. I seek to lead you into the most fertile plains in the world. Rich provinces, great cities will be in your power. There you will find honor, glory, and riches. Soldiers of Italy, would you be lacking in courage or constancy?”
From here you can see plainly why Henri was so enraptured