"Representative Men" is a collection of seven lectures given by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the mid-19th century. The lectures explore the lives and ideas of several influential figures from history, including Plato, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Napoleon, and Goethe. Emerson uses these figures as examples of what he calls "representative men," individuals who embody the ideals and principles of their time and culture. He argues that by studying the lives and works of these individuals, we can gain insight into the broader patterns of human history and society. Each lecture focuses on a different figure and their unique contributions to philosophy, literature, politics, or culture. For example, the lecture on