Les masques de l’Empereur

Abstract

Considered as a « mythe inépuisable qui se prête à toutes les "lectures" » (J. Tulard), Napoleon Bonaparte has given rise to multiple interpretations for more than two centuries. On the occasion of the bicentenary of his death, this monothematic dossier aims at retracing how Napoleon has been portrayed in drama productions and shows since the beginning of his celebrity until 1840 – this is the year of the beginning of the political exploitation of his “legend”. Hero of Italy and Egypt, man of providence, good republican and savior of the Revolution, Cromwell or Caesar, Charlemagne or Tiberius, actor, historicized character, tyrant, Harlequin, defeated hero: throughout these decades, Napoleon's masks change and overlap according to the evolution of socio-political contexts, national affiliations, personal opinions.

Keywords

• Napoleon
• Emperor’s masks
• 19th century
• theatre
• Napoleon’s bicentenary