| abstract | - Modern Western culture tends to think of Warriors and Poets as belonging to distinct, different and opposing groups. Warriors are manly men who like hitting each other and other simple pleasures. Poets are culturally refined wimps. Traditionally though, poetry and war are complimentary pursuits. Poems sing of the glory found in battle. Honor and virtue are on display when men are facing deadly peril. Experiencing death and the horrors of war makes a man contemplate the big questions of life. Often the war is being fought for some greater purpose or cause, such as liberty. Great generals devote their spare time to philosophy, wondering what it all means. Poetry (except blank verse) is built on the optimal deployment of limited resources - words that fit together with other words, and with words that aren't there - not unlike the strategic decisions a soldier makes on the battlefield. Thus singers, poets, and writers have gone off and joined the armed forces, looking for that glory and enlightenment. They are often welcomed by the other warriors who want someone who can express their feelings and experiences in poetry or song. Often because they themselves feel those things too deeply to be able to express them bluntly in plain words (unless they are drunk). That's were this character comes in. He's fought in battle and is no slouch at war making, but he thinks about the purpose behind all the bloodshed and philosophizes on the meaning of life and death. Since War Is Hell he tends to have a bit of a melancholy tone about it all. Perhaps his poems long for peace as only a man who has seen war can. However, since War Is Glorious he might write songs glorifying the battle he just witnessed. If he is a supporting character, expect other warriors in his Band of Brothers to be moved by his poetry and philosophical insights when he shares them. If he's the lead he might be a loner, with his fellows unable to understand his way of thinking. It probably also is a way of showing his Love Interest that he's not just a bloodthirsty barbarian, but actually a sensitive soul who is forced to do horrible things because of the war. Note: Do NOT mistake this for Cultured Badass. That trope is about a Badass with 'cultured' hobbies, this trope is about a mindset rather than hobbies. For example, a Cultured Badass can appreciate love poetry but a Warrior Poet will incorporate that poetry into his daily life and thoughts about warfare. Alternatively, a Cultured Badass can enjoy battle for the thrill and pleasure while a Warrior Poet will espouse something more mystical and/or spiritual Read both descriptions if you need to. Examples of Warrior Poet include:
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