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PORTRAIT OF A PRINCE                                                 by Denis Martindale
Summary:

We are accustomed to getting frightened by tigers because of their appearances. It is our automatic reaction when we talk about tigers, but the poem entitled Portrait of the Prince by Denis Martindale has a deeper depiction of tigers. It describes not just the physical appearance of a tiger but also its deep characteristic mentally and emotionally. It highlighted the other side of a tiger not just its scary phase but also its heroic side.

                     

The first part of the poem focuses on the detailed physical appearance of a tiger not just mere definition but each trait that a tiger has different important functions as well as symbolisms like this line from the poem "Behold the tiger's face up close, with all its deep-etched lines. Like charcoal ridges by his nose, How clearly each defines. Behold the tiger's ears erect, Aware of all that breathes". It is clear that it is really more on the physical. The second part said a lot about the mental power of a tiger like this line "With mental filters that select the rustling of the leaves." It imparts how intelligent a tiger can be. That it can identify distant facts. The third part concludes how a tiger can be so powerful, it can sense if there is an existing danger. It also said that tigers always win because they are powerful physically, in their mind and soul. It was emphasized with this line on the poem "Behold the tiger's neck so still And poised with regal grace, portraying here the prince's will, despite the human race. Behold the tiger's sovereign style." It tells that a tiger isn't just a scary animal. It is powerful at all aspects and such an example of a hero.

          

The poem just simply wanted to describe the tiger as model of being a hero. From the title itself, it already says it all. On the last part it even said "Behold the tiger's treachery! Flee from his handsome grin! For in a race, I think you'll see that tigers always win!" It clearly shows how powerful a tiger can be. It can fight for himself and for other animals.

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Poem: Portrait of a Prince

A.  Answer these questions with reference to the context.

     ‘What tales those teeth could tell’.

1.  Whose teeth are being talked about?

Ans. Tiger’s teeth are being talked about in the poem.

2. What does the poet compare the teeth to?

Ans. Tiger’s teeth are being compared to the daggers.

B. Answer these questions.

1. Which three senses of the tiger does the poet highlight?

Ans. The poet highlights the tiger’s sense of hearing, vision, and smell while describing his sensitive ears, sharp eyes and powerful nose respectively.

2. What does the tiger have ‘control’ of?

Ans. The tiger is in the know of everything that happens in his environment.

3. What do you think the poet means by saying ‘despite the human race’?

Ans. According to me, the poet means that although man is considered as the most intelligent and advanced creature but in an equal game in the jungle, the tiger is always the winner. Tiger proves that he is more powerful.

4. Do you think the title of the poem is suitable? Why?

Ans. Yes, in my opinion, the title of the poem ‘Portrait of a Prince’ is a suitable one because the poem gives us a detailed and vivid description of a tiger; it is as good as looking at a portrait of a prince.