Did you cringe when you read the thread title? Okay breathe!

Napoleon complex is named after French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who overcomepensated for his short height by seeking power, war and conquest.

The complex is also affectionately referred to as short man syndrome or little man issue. Conventional wisdom suggest that this disorder is experienced by men short in stature (below average) who overcompensate for their short height by over-achieving in other aspects of their lives say career choices, buying huge cars, womanizing, **cough** wearing high heels.

Napoleon was around 5 foot 6, pretty short by French standards. Prince is 5 foot 2. Short by anybody's standards.


So do you think Prince has a short man complex? Do you think he had such a complex at one time and has gotten over it? If you do believe him to have a complex, what are some examples of how the complex has manifested itself in his life or art?


Let's discuss....

Probably Raging when he was younger (women,control,competitiveness) there are still remnants (the shoes, the clothes tailored to elongate) but he's probably a lot more at peace with himself. He probably has more fun with it now, and realize that alot of people lean on it as an excuse for their own inability to kick his ass LOL.

dreamshaman32 said:

Very interesting and well stated. I wonder however, if his complex is not one of being short but one of having a small build. Then again, shortness and small physique often go hand in hand.

Another thing...


If Prince wasn't short, would have have strived as hard to prove his musicianship and song writing capabilities? Would he have wanted to be a front man or a side kick? How much of his ego is driven by him being short?

No, I really don't think Prince has that complex. His sister Susan said that he used ask her all the time when he was young 'why do I have to be so short' and she asked him, would you rather be short or rich? but I feel he has long since grown out of that, he has so much going for him that compensates for it.I think that men who obsess on themselves and have no other redeeming qualities worry about stuff like that.It's a shame there's all kinds of labels and boxes to put people in.
[Edited 7/28/09 11:09am]

Yes.

Example: His career.

He obviously did..."This is for why I wasn't born like my brother, handsome and tall"...

Shit, if he ain't handsome, who is?? and just because a persons not tall does not mean they have a complex.
[Edited 7/28/09 11:11am]

Dayclear said:

DesireeNevermind said:

I think he definitely felt he had to overcompensate and to be over the top with some of his antics.
He's probably secure with it now, but he still prolly harbors a tiny bit of insecurity about it but would never voice that to anyone.

.
[Edited 12/11/09 8:56am]

true. Along with the narcissm, makes for a "friendly personality"

Terrific insightfull tread. And yes he definately has a severe version of this complex and while he seems more centered and relaxed these days being 5 foot 8 myself I can tell you this issue never goes away.

And prince isnt 5 foot 2 they have his tailor on record as saying hes exactly 5 foot 3.Not much of a differance but thats the fact of the matter.I would assume his heels make him around 5 foot 6 or 7.

dawnboy999 said:

I have to agree with DB9X3

One never 'get's over it'. It's an unwritten 'fact' that P has severe issues with his height (not necessarily his stature/build) I am a few inches 'taller' than P, and dated a girl who was about Bria's height. We were both uncomfortable in public, no matter how much we denied it. I personally believe that P's height is one of the primary motivating factors to his success.....

I'm 5'4, atheletic build and honestly when i look back socialization is very important too. How? i was a great athelete, known for speed and atheleticism and i excelled in the sports that shape and form masculinity football, basketball (for brothas which i am) and boxing. I also got a lot of attention from girls and was considered a cutie at a very crucial stage in life for young men, and thanks to prince (80's) i had the look that got you laid.Therefor my self esteem was so rooted in positive messeges that i didnt know i was short until i was about 24 and had moved away from my hometown. Honestly i didnt know what diminutive meant LOL, and i certainly didnt know there was a generalized perception from society that you shouldnt be afforded favor or had to overcompensate in some way.Now that i'm older i've read more about it i have a better respect for the role socialization plays and how from the neck up (LOL) i really cant relate to some guys my height. Now, Prince is older by a crucial 10 years, grew up in a larger urban population and didnt seem to be much of a fighter-that can impact a great deal how peers dealt with him. My dad used to tell me guys our size were implicity told not to come out for certain sports no matter how talented- which is why you saw no Spudd Webbs in the 60's LOL.Prince actually is nowhere near the insecurity of Sammy Davis Jr., remember despite his "complex" he was (and still is) a sex symbol to many.
[Edited 7/29/09 2:04am]