The Good, The Bad, The Great

A Reflection on Greatness and Insecurity

Ridley Soctt’s Napoleon was released on November 22nd and as a result Napoleon has been thrust into the discourse. To be honest I have not seen the film, nor do I plan to. After the abomination that was Kingdom of Heaven, I learned to avoid any of Ridely Scott’s ventures into historical film making.

The prevailing chatter surrounding the film revolves largely around Scott's depiction of Napoleon, characterizing him as little more than a cuckold and a manchild. This reduction of great men to a mere amalgamation of good luck and character flaws is a hallmark of modern storytelling. It's a deliberate choice—those in power recognize the threat posed by individuals who inspire greatness, so they reduce them to a collection of flaws.

Years ago, I delved into Adam Zamoyski's Napoleon, a well-crafted and comprehensive biography of Le Petit Caporal. What intrigued me most in Zamoyski's account was not just the greatness of Napoleon, but the insecure and fearful boy who would one day crown himself Emperor of Europe.

Zamoyski presents Napoleon as an average student from a middle-class background, grappling with the complexities of friendships and romantic entanglements. In essence, he reveals that the architect of Trafalgar and Austerlitz was, at his core, just a man. This realization prompts us to understand that Great Men often appear as average individuals who, when destiny beckons, emerge from the crowd, ready to answer the call.

The powers that be want us to believe that great men are a myth. They aim to define us by our flaws, urging us to perceive ourselves as Carl Sagan envisioned the world—a mere "pale blue dot." They need us to remain insecure and weak so that, when history demands the rise of Great Men, we turn a deaf ear and declare, "not me."

The truth is that the spirit of Great Men resides within all of us, manifesting itself in unique ways. Most of us won't be summoned to shape the world to our will, but we can aspire to something greater. Napoleon, too, doubted himself, yet at some juncture, he transcended fear and insecurity, realizing he was capable of more than he had ever imagined.

-TJS