Poet

Closely related to both the Author and the Artist, the Poet combines lyricism with sharp insight, finding the essence of beauty and
truth not only in the great epic affairs of humanity, but also in everyday acts and objects. Great poetry extolls momentous events
and great deeds, and also expresses wonder at the hidden joys and sorrows that most of us might overlook. And although you
don't have to be a published poet to have this as one of your twelve archetypes, you do need to be driven by the need and the
ability to discover beauty in the people and things around you, and express it in a way that helps others, too, see that beauty.

The shadow Poet turns his gift for lyricism to negative or destructive effect, as in songs or poems written in support of military
aggression or genocide.

Films: Glenda Jackson in Stevie; Philippe Noiret in Il Postino; Sean Connery in A Fine Madness.

Fiction: The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll (shadow);

Religion/Myth: King David (ruler of Israel credited with writing many of the Psalms); Orpheus (great musician and poet of Greek
myth, capable of charming wild beasts); Bragi (in Norse myth, the god of eloquence and patron of poets); Finn Mac Cumhail
(legendary Irish hero and leader who was also greatly skilled as a poet).