The enemy line has fallen. You charge in. Victory is at hand, but over the next hill, an enemy leader sits on a stool, sipping hot tea while listening to Bach on the phonograph next to him. Then, with a gentle wave of his hand, he sends in the second wave. Time to retreat!

Beast from X-Men is an excellent example, his favorite pastime being reading while he hangs upside down. Need a real life example? How about that George S. Patton, an avid reader and decorated general who fought in the WWII European Theater?
"May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won't!"
The Cultured Warrior is something of a neutral trope, since the character in question can be a good guy, bad guy, or something in between. Come to think of it, both the Sith and Jedi pride themselves on their cultural knowledge - they just have a difference of opinion.
"It's all about Power!" "It's all about Peace!"
These guys have the tendency to be suave, debonair, intellectually intimidating, and oftentimes annoying, because, let's face it - who likes it when someone acts like they're smarter than you? It's enough for any star fleet captain to launch a tracking torpedo at them!
Moral of the story: I wouldn't quote Shakespeare during a fight ...
Where else have you seen The Cultured Warrior? Are you brave enough to use this trope in your writing? Have you already?
I'm David, and *unsheaths sword* have you any Grey Poupon?
I think I've used this one before. Grand Admiral Thrawn in the Star Wars novels is one of my favorite cultured warriors. Most Bond villains tend to be in that category since they're usually rich and have a bunch of fancy stuff but also don't mind disintegrating someone with a ray gun.
ReplyDeleteI think villains who are cultured are the scariest. I'm all for complex bad guys, but this makes them somewhat psychotic to me. *shivers*
ReplyDeleteIn one story I'm writing, I made a warrior who can't read. I kind of went "anti-culture" on this trope.
ReplyDeleteHey, I've used that one!
ReplyDeleteAn character trait for sure. I think a well read, cultured, warrior or bad guy adds interest to the character.
ReplyDeleteAs of yet, I haven't written any character like this. But who knows what the future brings... insert evil laugh here. LOL.
Funny. I'm using this one for the first time in the current wip.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Kirk really pulled off the cultured warrior type. He tried but captain Picard did it much better.
ReplyDeleteThis was so interesting! I don't think I've heard the term before, but that type of character is all over in fiction and TV & movies.
ReplyDeleteThe cultured warrior...I like that the juxtaposition of grace and violence, very intriguing:)
ReplyDeleteNice trope! The character of Saladin from Kingdom of Heaven also comes to mind. I don't think I've used this one yet, though I do have a cultured "warrior wannabe" as a bad guy in on story. :)
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought of Abe from Hellboy. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my main character exactly. But she only quotes Shakespeare in between battles. :P
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post! Thanks for the video.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Very interesting, not something I thought about before but so true. I think, in a way, later generation Samurai in Japan because sort of cultured warriors. Although they were still definitely more warriors than anything else.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be careful when using this warrior.
ReplyDeleteThis one I've used! It's a very interesting trope, and one I actually rather enjoy using in moderation.
ReplyDeleteOoo, I'm not sure, but I do like the thought behind it. I can see lots of those people getting a torpedo launched at them. Possibly Khan.... :)
ReplyDeleteI have so used this, for both a MC and a villian.
ReplyDeleteThe Undiscovered Country. I remember that one. Not one of my favs but better than 5.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've used this trop.
I haven't used this one, though I think I might--it's totally sparking an idea for a wip :) I will admit to being married to this type though, and I think that counts!
ReplyDeleteOh- I love Beast. He makes such an interesting character.
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