Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon in the novel War and Peace by Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy

Comparison of the appearance of the two heroes

Kutuzov’s face

is a smile and a lonely tear against the background of a one-eyed facial expression (the Russian field marshal lost an eye due to a wound received in a battle with a Turkish landing force in 1774). The hero met the Patriotic War of 1812 as a very old man in his seventh decade, and went through it with heavy steps. The plump, bright face of Mikhail Illarionovich was adorned with the wise expression of a lonely eye socket; he was corpulent and stooped due to his venerable age, but this did not prevent the prince from skillfully leading the army.

Napoleon

was forty years old when he attacked Russia, his prominent belly looked ridiculous given his small stature. Bonaparte carefully monitored his appearance. The emperor's hands stood out with aristocratic whiteness, and his body was enveloped in the aroma of exquisite cologne. The excessive fullness of his legs was revealed by tight white leggings, and his fat neck was emphasized by the blue collar of his military jacket.

Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon.

The novel "War and Peace" is a unique historical novel that describes in detail the military campaigns of 1805, 1809 and the War of 1812.

The author not only creates an exciting plot, but also gives his assessment of important historical events. But the writer’s main intention is not to mark the milestones of history. He strives to reveal the meaning of life through the description of people and their characters. The characters in the novel are both ordinary people from the people and great historical figures. Tolstoy makes a comparison of two commanders throughout the entire plot - Kutuzov and Napoleon. They both went towards the same goal - to defeat the enemy, but their paths were different.

Napoleon

We see Napoleon throughout the novel. He appears before readers at a moment of anger when Murat made a mistake that contributed to the defeat of the French army in the Battle of Shengraben. When he, unshakable and arrogant, begins the Battle of Austerlitz with one movement of his hand, the calm and confidence of this man captivates the reader. After this bloody battle, we see the leader of the French army in a moment of glory, with his head held high and a contemptuous grin looking around the battlefield. But this stubborn belief in one’s own power began to fade on the Borodino field and in burned Moscow. And now the invincible Napoleon offers peace to Kutuzov, saving his demoralized retreating army.

The writer compares the French emperor to a child. For him, war is a game. Bonaparte is not too concerned about the fate of his army. Soldiers are expendable for him. The French commander believes that he has the right to play with people's lives, because he is the one who creates history. This phenomenal confidence, fearlessness, and luck initially attracted Prince Andrei. Napoleon was his idol, an ideal to strive for. However, after the meeting near Austerlitz, Bolkonsky saw in him only a little man, and not a great arbiter of other people's destinies. When the prince lay wounded on the ground, the whole world around him stopped. The commander’s remarks seemed insignificant; his appearance was disgusting.

Bolkonsky realized that Bonaparte's goals and aspirations were insignificant. Tolstoy has a negative attitude towards this historical figure, does not accept the cruelty and selfishness of the emperor, who goes to power at any cost, neglecting lives and resources. Hundreds of thousands of people died, orphaning their families, because of the utopian idea of ​​world domination. For the talented French commander, soldiers are just a tool that must always be ready for battle. His cynicism, cruelty, indifference to human life, coldness of mind, cunning - the qualities that Tolstoy talks about.

Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army

The commander-in-chief of the Russian army appears completely different. In comparison with the young, daring, energetic Napoleon, the elderly, sedentary Kutuzov looks passive. He is the complete opposite of Bonaparte. We often see him talking to soldiers and sleeping at war councils. Kutuzov does not categorically impose his opinion on other generals, and does not try to independently decide the course of battles. He does not boast of his rank, but participates in the battle together with his comrades. This is a true commander.

He worries not about how history will remember him, but about the main value - the lives of soldiers. When inspecting the troops, Kutuzov looks at the soldiers “with a gentle smile.” He often rubs his eyes full of tears, worrying about the outcome of the case. The commander-in-chief personally solves the problem of the lack of boots among the soldiers. After the Battle of Shengraben, recognizing Captain Timokhin, he gives him a special bow. This episode once again confirms that for Kutuzov it is not his rank that is important, but each individual person with his fate, his soul hurts for each soldier. It was Kutuzov who took responsibility for the grandiose defeat in the Battle of Austerlitz, the failure of which he knew in advance. He made the unusually difficult decision to leave Moscow in September 1812.

Both of these actions did not contribute to his popularity in society. The emperor even tried to remove him from service, but did not dare. The Russian army believed in him. The authority of the soldiers, earned by courage in battle and care for them between battles, remained unshakable. And the Russian commander-in-chief was just as unshakable in the victory of the Russian army.

People and history

Kutuzov understood that it is not commanders who make history, but ordinary people. During the battles, he did not give many orders, but only monitored the condition of his army. He treats his soldiers with kindness and tenderness. Kutuzov shows a special attitude towards Andrei Bolkonsky. After the death of the old prince, he affectionately tells him: “...Remember, my friend, that I am your father, another father...”. The commander does not seek glory for himself in war, he only cares about the happiness and peace of the Russian people, trying to save soldiers from useless deaths.

Kutuzov understood that the outcome of the battle is decided not by weapons, not by the number of soldiers, not by location, but by the feeling that every soldier has inside. This is the spirit of the army. It is he who decides how the battle will end. It is impossible to lead alone hundreds of thousands of people who are going to their death. The main tasks of the commander-in-chief are maintaining the morale of the army and caring for the life of every soldier. Therefore, it was the spirit of the army that became one of the reasons for the Russian victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. Each person considered it his sacred duty to overcome the enemy, who was getting closer and closer to the capital of the Russian Empire.

The peasants sharpened their pitchforks and joined the partisans. The partisan movement put up strong resistance and significantly demoralized the enemy, making forays to destroy military infrastructure and fodder. Among other things, the winter of 1812 was the coldest in the entire century. It was as if nature itself was helping the Russians defend their fatherland.

The two personalities of the great strategists and commanders are depicted in Tolstoy’s novel in very contrasting ways. The line of confrontation between Kutuzov and Napoleon can be traced throughout the work as a contrast between wisdom and arrogance, love for neighbors and endless pride, the desire to save people’s lives and the desire to please one’s own pride. The military genius, assertiveness, determination and audacity of one great personality cannot break the spirit of an entire great people. Napoleon towers over his army, And Kutuzov is inseparable from his. This is the true reason for the defeat of the French army and the well-deserved victory of Russian weapons.

Character traits of Kutuzov and Napoleon

Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov

He became famous among the soldiers for his kindness, often showing concern for the rank and file, for ordinary people. The prince was distinguished by his attentiveness, noticing individual details of what was happening around him. His Excellency was not embarrassed by the complexity of any situation; he remained calm and unperturbed under any circumstances. The field marshal moved slowly, sleepily shifting from foot to foot.

Kutuzov expressed his thoughts clearly, concisely, with special charm and fatherly intonation. Leo Tolstoy emphasizes the simplicity of the military leader and closeness with the people. Neither by his posture nor by his demeanor does the hero play any specific role, but remains an ordinary person. An old man tends to be interested in beautiful women and joke around with his subordinates.

Contemporaries noted Kutuzov's habit of addressing officers and soldiers kindly. Bolkonsky knows that the boss is weak to tears, capable of sincerely expressing sympathy, and a person who believes to the depths of his soul. The heroes of the novel speak of the field marshal as a wise commander who recognizes that in some moments of the war it is better not to interfere, giving history the opportunity to develop arbitrarily.

Napoleon

On the contrary, he has a high opinion of his actions. The egocentrism of the Emperor of France makes him think that his own decisions are the only correct ones. Tolstoy paints a portrait of a narcissistic little man. Provoking the murder of millions of soldiers is baseness, insignificance and intellectual limitation, dictated by the whim of unlimited power.

Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon - presentation

This is a real historical figure, the French emperor. Tolstoy decided to debunk the legend of Napoleon from the standpoint of true humanism. At the beginning of the novel, this man is the idol of Andrei Bolkonsky; Pierre Bezukhov considers Napoleon a great man. But gradually these best heroes of Tolstoy become disillusioned with their idol. From the first appearance of Napoleon in the novel, the deeply negative traits of his character are revealed. Outwardly, we see a well-fed and lordly pampered man with a “round belly,” “fat thighs, short legs,” “a white, plump neck,” and “a plump, short figure.” There is nothing natural about Napoleon; all his behavior is sheer posturing. He is selfish, narcissistic, people were of no interest to him. After a won battle, he likes to walk around the battlefield and look at the victims. We can say that Napoleon and Kutuzov are opposed to each other, as sincere and artificial, kind and selfish, cruel.

In the novel, the people's commander Kutuzov appears before the readers as a simple man who is closely connected with the Russian people, religiously united with them, and is able to raise the morale of soldiers when they do not have to hope for victory. Kutuzov always remained himself in any situation. He acts like a true Russian patriot. And it is contrasted with the image of Napoleon, who was deceitful and behaved feignedly, while Kutuzov, on the contrary, was kind and simple. He believed that the fate of the battle was decided not by the orders of the commander-in-chief, not by the place where the troops stood, not by the quality of the guns and killed people, but by that elusive force called the spirit of the army." And as subsequent events showed: indeed, it is impossible to predict how events will unfold, how opponents will act - it is important to strive for victory and not to lose heart. Because there is a “reliable course of events”.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Expressive figure, gait, gestures, facial expressions; sometimes affectionate, sometimes mocking glance; an old gentle smile, wrinkled like stars in the corners of the lips and eyes. Fatter, short figure; fat breasts, round belly; fat thighs of short legs; fussy gait; unpleasant - a fake smile.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Modest; does not boast of exploits; devoid of panache, boasting, pretense; true patriot. Narcissistic, arrogant, boastful poser; an arrogant and cruel conqueror.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Shows true concern for the soldiers (look at Brown), and is gentle in his treatment of them (Timokhin). Tries to save the lives of soldiers. Does not care about the soldiers, is indifferent to them (crossing the Neman). Soldiers are a means to achieve glory and power.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON did not leave his army, appears in the troops at all the most important moments of the war; speaks simply and clearly. Far from the army at important moments (Battle of Borodino); makes long belligerent speeches.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Naturalness in everything (sleeping during the military council) Everything is said and done for the sake of history (episode with the portrait of his son).

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Defense of the Fatherland. He was convinced that he was destined to save Rossi. Glory and power. Paris would be the capital of the world, and the French would be the envy of all nations.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Didn't play any role. He did not make any orders, but only agreed or disagreed with what was offered to him. The role of the “benefactor of the world.” Napoleon made his orders, which either had already been carried out before he made them, or could not be and were not carried out.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Talented commander; a truly Russian person; wise historical figure; exponent of the patriotic spirit and moral strength of the Russian army. A person who personifies anti-national interests; executioner of nations.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON Tolstoy contrasts Field Marshal Kutuzov with Napoleon (both as a military leader and as a person). Unlike the Emperor of France, the Russian commander did not consider the leadership of military operations to be a “game of chess.” In addition, he never took credit for the main role in the successes achieved by the Russian army. Unlike Napoleon, he relied not on his genius, but on the strength of the army. Kutuzov was convinced that the “spirit of the army” was of decisive importance in war. The imaginary greatness of Napoleon is especially clearly manifested in the scene when he stands on Poklonnaya Hill and admires the panorama of Moscow: “One word of mine, one movement of my hand, and this ancient capital perished...” But he did not have to enjoy his greatness for long. He found himself in a pitiful and ridiculous position, never receiving the keys to the majestic city.

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON is depicted as a commander who not so much directed the actions of the army as who did not interfere with the flow of events. It is not the commander’s experience, but the experience of his heart that tells him that the outcome of the war is predetermined by the moral superiority of the Russians. Therefore, he sees his first task as raising morale among the troops and instilling faith in victory. Cruel in an effort to satisfy his ambition at the cost of thousands of lives, in an attempt to impose his will on an entire country. His behavior is determined not by his heart, but by his mind, therefore he is doomed to defeat. Tolstoy is not impressed by the number of states he won - he has a different measure: “There is no greatness where there is no simplicity and truth.”

KUTUZOVNAPOLEON He is kind, wise, simple and open to people, like an ordinary - old and morally experienced - person. The image is given in the perception of different people. He is depicted as a man and alive in conversations (with Bolkonsky, Denisov, Bagration), at military councils, in the battles of Austerlitz and Borodino. Petty irritability, acting - he does not resemble a great man in any way. Coldness and pomposity are emphasized; he poses all the time, playing the role of a genius. “He was like a child who, holding on to the strings tied inside the carriage, imagines that he is driving.”

Table of comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon

Kutuzov:

1. The field marshal smiled sincerely at the corners of his lips, thereby decorating his disfigured face.
2. Unpretentious to the conditions of life in the field, he could stay in any hut.
3. He considers it his mission to save Russia from enslavement by an enemy army.
4. Fatherly attitude towards soldiers, parting words before battle are short and to the point. For example: “Get some sleep!”
5. Personally takes part in the main battles of the military campaign of 1812.
6. Understands that the outcome of the war depends on many factors, including the morale of ordinary soldiers.
7. How a religious person recognizes his small significance in the historical process.

Napoleon:

1. The imperial smile was deceitful, but his eyes remained indifferent.
2. Gravitating towards luxury, the courtyard amazes with its splendor.
3. He wants to conquer the whole world in order to impose his cultural values ​​and enrich himself at the expense of other states.
4. He believes that the army wins only thanks to his craft of waging war, known for pathetic long speeches before battles.
5. Tries to stay at a distance from the line of fire.
6. He thinks that everything in life depends solely on his will.
7. He believes that the world revolves around him, his role in everything that happens is key, he is destined to change the picture of Europe.

Leo Tolstoy repeatedly reminds: Kutuzov

kept his soldiers from bloody battles, tried in every possible way to avoid the death of the army, even at the cost of the surrender of Moscow. For the commander-in-chief, war is a national disaster, his fate is to help the people survive, to free themselves from the fate of suffering a foreign conqueror on their land.

Napoleon

obsessed with war, he sees himself as a key figure in history who changed the map of the world in the literal sense of these words. Examining the Borodino field, strewn with the corpses of soldiers from both armies, the emperor admires the mortal appearance of the wounded Bolkonsky.

The reason for Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 lies in the unity of the state and the people. Leo Tolstoy shows each person, be it a peasant or a nobleman, as an insignificant grain of sand in society. As soon as people unite in a single historical process, their strength increases many times over and turns into a victorious wave, sweeping away in its path any campaign launched by an evil genius. Kutuzov loved his people and appreciated their patriotic power and natural will to freedom.

Comparative characteristics of Kutuzov and Napoleon: table