ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how in 'The Dynasts' Thomas Hardy uses the Napoleonic Wars and the career of Napoleon to explore many of his ideas on war, empire, historical progress and the philosophical debate on freewill and determinism. Thomas Hardy's fascination with Napoleon was shared by many writers and thinkers in the nineteenth century, and the author examines the influence of two of these, Shelley and Byron, on Hardy's work in the chapter. Hardy's unorthodox philosophy and the unusual form of The Dynasts resulted in a rather cool reception from some critics. John Buchan, writing in the Spectator, claimed that the constant harping on the Immanent Will in pseudo-scientific terms becomes in the end merely comic. Early on in 'The Dynasts' Hardy describes the scene in the House of Commons when Pitt and the opposition are debating the Act which would provide for the protection of England against invasion by Napoleon.
