Li, Weiyi <br/><br/>
“The peacemaker”: image of Napoleon Bonaparte in the theatre of Paris under the Directory 

 -  2025.<br/>							 
<br/><br/> 47 
<br/><br/> This article examines how Napoleon Bonaparte was portrayed in Parisian theatre during the Directory (1795–1799). Far from glorifying only his military exploits, many plays emphasized his role as a protector of love, family, and peace. Bonaparte appeared as a compassionate and modest general who reconciled lovers, reunited families, and symbolized national harmony. His image was shaped not just by propaganda but also by playwrights responding to popular demand. Three theatrical peaks—after the Italian campaign, the Treaty of Campoformio, and his return from Egypt—reflected growing public fascination. While the government oscillated between promoting cultural refinement and tightening censorship, theatres remained powerful spaces for shaping political perception. The portrayal of Bonaparte evolved from military hero to peacemaker and ultimately saviour of France. Romantic subplots often replaced scenes of battle, offering audiences a more humane version of war. These performances also anticipated the sacralization of Napoleon after Brumaire. The article shows how theatre helped construct a popular, emotional connection to Napoleon before his rise to power.