Silly Napoleon

I really enjoyed Wordsworth’s reflection of Napoleon in “I Griev’d for Bounaparte.” I focused a lot on his idea that an effective ruler must have motherly thoughts and be “meek as womanhood,” connecting to the idea that a true leader must work for the citizens of the nation, not for himself (much like a mother does everything for her children). By using a comparison to a mother, Wordsworth is making this idea of un-self-centered ruling appear natural and necessary for a reproductive (or continually thriving) country. In addition, by start the poem by saying that the grief given on behalf of Napoleon is “vain” and “unthinking,” Wordsworth is characterizing Napoleon as such, a.k.a. the exact opposite of what a ruler should be. This idea connects to “Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte,” and Byron’s ideas that Napoleon’s need to gain more power led to his downfall.