#image_title
Words play a powerful role in fictional worlds just as in the real world. They can stir up emotions in people, spur them to perform feats they didn’t think were possible, and many other actions. There just a few occupations that rely on the mystical power of words to convey their message and thankfully, fantasy poets is one of them.
Poets, throughout history, use their impeccable knowledge of words to craft a message that endures through the ages, long after they’ve departed the mortal coil. The same applies to their imaginary counterparts. Many prefer to simply write them but others like to get in front of a crowd to orate them and leave them mesmerized.
The subjects fantasy poets encompass a wide range of areas. Some like to be short and simple, looking at things that people can easily identify with like war or the beauty of nature. Others lean more into the abstract side, depicting ideas that leave their audience with questions to ponder as they head home.
Poets in the genre have one goal: to inspire those who either read their poems or listen to them. How they get there is dictated by their personalities. Some want to encourage them to take action and others just want them to understand what they’re feeling since emotions are something everyone can form a connection over.
Fantasy poets have a special purpose in the world. They like to take complex subjects and break them into messages easy for people to understand and the best ones are forever immortalized into history and their works are studied by many generations afterwards.
This is the nineteenth article in the series covering fantasy occupations. Want more? Then go to our blog page where there’s tons of articles waiting for you!
Like in the real world, poetry in fantasy isn’t devoted to just one topic alone. Indeed, there are just as many poems as there are topics. However, not all poems are equal. Some are read more than others.
So what subjects should fantasy poets cover? There’s nothing wrong with going with the classics, since they’re the ones most people are likely to look at and remember. Nature and emotions are just two examples of the classics.
With nature, fantasy poets capture the timeless essence of the beauty of nature, whether it be the sun setting over the horizon, the gentle waves of the ocean crashing upon the sandy beach, or the tranquility of the mountains. Poems chronicling the wonders of nature transcend time, meaning people hundreds of years later on will still be reading them.
Much like human beings — or humanoid species, depending on the world — emotions are complex and dynamic. They change at a moment’s whim and showcase what people are feeling at that point in time. Fantasy poets who devote their work on this subject use powerful words to depict strong feelings in a way that people can easily identify with. Many poets in this group like to use intense emotions such as anger or despair as the main focus of their works.
On the opposite side of the classics are those that are more abstract in character. The effects of war on the landscape or questions pondering whether the deities of the world are real are just a couple examples of topics abstract poetry looks at. They’re designed to force people to think about things they usually don’t think about or take for granted. In short, they make people question what they think they know.
The power of words transcends time and people. Those with a knack for wordplay are able to compose a message that endures long after their lifetime. The best poets leave behind works that are studied by those who came after them. The reason they’re studied is that the messages they convey serve as a source of inspiration for people to do great things.
All poems are designed to inspire people, whether by listening to or reading them. They speak to something deep within their soul, making them feel something as they read or listen to them. The emotion they have at that particular moment can lead to a lasting impression, one they’ll remember for a long time.
Fantasy poets use their work in one of two ways: to encourage them to take action on something or to make them understand what they’re feeling as they look at their poems. The vast majority of poets subscribe to the latter since language and emotions are two universal things everyone has in common. Poets have learned to harness the power of words to artfully describe common emotions in masterful and interesting ways.
The minority of poets that use their poetry as a platform to call for action do so in a way to spur them to do something about what the message said poems convey. For instance, a poem made in the midst of a vicious war could lament the state of destruction being wrought upon the world, transforming pristine landscapes to charred, smoldering ruin. The poem is a cry to stop the carnage and let the world heal and it encourages people to make a push to bring the war to its end.
Not many poems are long; the majority are short. To make one that is effective in what it is trying to say, each word is deliberately placed and each stanza has a purpose. When they’re combined, the final product is a piece of artwork that articulates clearly exactly what its creator intended with little chance of it being misinterpreted.
The role of poets in an imaginary role is an interesting one. They have to take complex subjects and break them down, using words everyone understands to make a message that can be easily deciphered. When crafting a poem, they always have to remember that those who will look at it will have different vocabulary levels so they have to create one that everyone can read or listen to it.
All fantasy poets want their work to be looked at by as many people as possible, no matter the subject. For example, a poem covering the seemingly infinite forest discusses how it just keeps going on with no end in sight could be a commentary on it doesn’t matter how far you go, it’ll never be enough for there will always be something just beyond. To highlight its message, it’ll use popular words that people associate with forests and the feeling of wanderlust so that it can reach all kinds of people, from children all the way up to the elderly.
Some will read their poems to several people they’re close with to gauge their reaction before publishing them to the masses. They want to ensure that what they’ve been working on gets the response they’re hoping for. If so, they’ll do a little cleaning up and then release it to the public; if not, well they’ll have to rework it and hope that the changes they made will do the charm.
Poetry is another form of art, one simple to understand the basics but difficult to truly master. It is for this reason that there are not as many fantasy poets as there are novel or article writers. The goal of poetry is to serve as inspiration, using words to appeal to the soul of those listening to or reading it. Only a fortunate few have the talent to create works that stand the test of time.
Poems that go down in history are studied by generations long after their creator departed the world. They are scrutinized in every detail to gain a greater understanding of it and the messages they convey, even on issues that are no longer pertinent to those reviewing them.
Fantasy poems create amazing works, even if they are fictional, that speak to people’s heart. Poems in the genre do the same thing as their real-world counterpart: convey a message with the power of words serving as the vehicle. They can make a person laugh, cry, or be happy.
Poets who live in imaginary worlds have a plethora of topics to choose from when composing poems. The natural beauty of the world is always a crowd pleaser. Poems whose main focus is on emotions can serve as an unifying force since emotions are universal and can bring different people together.
Many fantasy poets use their works as a platform to inspire people. That inspiration can go one of two routes. The first is to encourage them to take action on something, whether it be launching a crusade to clean up a city mired in filth or slow down and smell the roses instead of constantly being on the go. The second is to get them to understand what they’re feeling as they read their work which is especially useful for poets whose works revolve around emotions.
As for the world, poets like to make works that make people think. They’re striving to have their poems be forever immortalized and appreciated by those who come after them. Those that endure the test of time are studied so that people can fully understand them.
Every occupation serves a purpose, even those in a fictional world and poets are no exception. They help enrich the world and make it feel more real so if you’re wrestling with the idea of including fantasy poets in your world, you can’t go wrong with having them in yours!
Let me know what you think in the comments below. (Note: this is an account-exclusive feature).
If you don’t have one, you can register here. It only takes a few moments of your time!
Liked this article and want to subscribe? All you have to do is fill out the form below and that’s it!
Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
Subscribing means you receive:
You can always unsubscribe anytime.
CONTENTS Introduction One thing people love about fantasy is seeing how members of the royal…
CONTENTS The Premise A fictional civilization doesn’t exist simply due to its people. It exists…
CONTENTS Overview One of the best things about making an fictional world is creating places…
CONTENTS Introduction Like in the real world, there is a constant stream of people going…
CONTENTS The Premise Every occupation in an imaginary world brings something to the table. They…
CONTENTS Overview There’s nothing better than whiling away many hours on the water, hoping that…
This website uses cookies.