Have you ever had your mind changed by a book, been brought to tears by a movie, heard a song that could sum up the end of your relationship, or sat and stared at a painting? At some point, there was a Bard who channeled some divine genius and make you feel that way.
This world is but a canvas to our imagination.
Note: this is the final part of a larger series. Please read my introduction here if you would like some background. I’m a musician, so I’m coming from that perspective.
The Bard only truly lives when he is communing with his Muse. The Bard is deeply emotional, deeply passionate, and deeply creative. The Bard is sensory. The Bard speaks to our id in a deep and satisfying way. Have you ever had your mind changed by a book, been brought to tears by a movie, heard a song that could sum up the end of your relationship, or sat and stared at a painting? At some point, there was a Bard who channeled some divine genius and make you feel that way. The Bard is powerful, whimsical, and beautiful. The Bard feels so strongly that they make you feel. I can’t tell you how many songs I have heard that I wanted to listen to over and over. That I danced too, cried to, laughed to, or just celebrated.
It’s funny that being emotional is normatively considered to be a feminine trait. As men, we are just as emotional, even if we have trouble accessing some of these emotions from time to time. The great actors, artists, and musicians who we love could channel those emotions and make us feel them. So why do avoid them? Why are we so afraid of vulnerability? I guess because it’s hard, and it hurts.
The Bard’s greatest enemy (at least according to Steven Pressfield…credit to my friend Jess for the introduction to his work) is Resistance. Personal issues, friendships, day-to-day responsibilities, procrastination, fear…all of these can derail the work of The Bard. And without the work, what are you? What is the musician without music? The painter without paintings? The Bard has trouble living in the world. That’s why you see actors looking so uncomfortable in interviews, or musicians with no idea how to manage their finances. Their job is to channel their creative muse…they aren’t all that good at anything else.
The Bard is also prone to emotional volatility. Sadness, anger, ecstasy, lust…these are the tools of The Bard. The most beautiful creations come from emotional vulnerability, but it is a tough life exposing your true self to the world. It is hard to stand on stage while everybody judges everything you are doing. The Bard can be driven to depression, drug use, and down other dangerous roads because of that pressure. The Bard might have trouble with relationships, and might have difficulty in 9-to-5 jobs. The Bard’s biggest challenge is committing and doing the work.
Positive Attributes: passionate, loving, creative, fun, mutable, open to new experiences, empathetic, able to think outside the box, sensitive, driven.
Negative Attributes: emotionally volatile, prone to mood swings, difficulty with administrative or ‘boring’ work, poor communicator (except through creative vehicle), unrealistic.
Famous Examples: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Kurt Cobain, Homer, Michelangelo, James Brown, Zhang Zeduan, Ferran Adria.
Energy: passionate, fearless, open, volatile, beautiful.
Example Professions: painter, musician, vocal coach, advertising (creative side), dramaturge, architect, chef.
Animal: spider, chimpanzee, mockingbird, cricket, any of these guys.
—Photo andrewkimmell/Flickr
For Further Reading Check out:
Four Types of Men: An Introduction
The Four Types of Men: Part I – The Warrior
The Four Types of Men: Part II – The Philosopher
The Four Types of Men: Part III – The Monk
Zhang Zeduan