Napoleon Episode 1 Part 1

The French Revolution reference: http://www.pbs.org/empires/napoleon/flash/n_politic/frenchrev/page_1.html

PREVIEWING TASK: Read the following quotes and then write a definition of what you think "destiny" means.
"The longest journeyIs the journey inwardsOf him who has chosen his destiny" —Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961)
"Sow a habit, and you reap a character,Sow a character, and you reap a destiny"—Anon.
"'Tis all a Checkerboard of Nights and DaysWhere Destiny with Men for Pieces Plays."—Edward FitzGerald (1809-1883)





Questions:
1. Napoleon so hated having his native country conquered by the French, yet in the name of France he went on to be the greatest conqueror of other European countries the world had ever seen. How do you explain this paradox (something that is in contradiction, or opposed to common sense, yet is true)?

2. Napoleon loved his mother and disliked his father. Does this necessarily mean that she influenced him more? How did each parent influence Napoleon? What two sides of Napoleon can we see through the effect of each parent?

3. In your opinion, do you think Napoleon's family did the right thing by deserting Corsica for France?

Napoleon: Youth and Family Life reference: http://www.pbs.org/empires/napoleon/flash/n_myth/youth/page_1.html