The Man of Destiny

by Bernard Shaw

"The Man of Destiny" by Bernard Shaw is a play written in 1897, set during Napoleon's early Italian campaign. After victory at the Battle of Lodi, Napoleon discovers crucial military dispatches have been stolen. When a mysterious woman appears claiming her brother took them, a battle of wits ensues. She eventually returns the documents but warns Napoleon against reading one particular letter—a revelation that could trigger scandal and duels. As tensions mount, the truth about the woman's identity and Napoleon's marriage hangs in the balance.