Soldier Poet King Quiz: Which One Are You?

Imagine standing at a crossroads where three paths diverge. One leads to a battlefield, where honor and valor are forged in the flames of battle. The second leads to a quiet sanctuary, where feelings transform into immortal verses. The third leads to a summit that offers a view of an entire kingdom of possibilities. Which path would you choose? Who are you—a soldier, ready to defend your principles to the last? A poet, capable of seeing beauty where others see the ordinary? Or a king, born to lead and create new worlds? This is precisely the question answered by the viral “Soldier, Poet, King” quiz, which reveals deep aspects of your personality through the lens of three archetypes.

The Origin of the “Soldier, Poet, King” Quiz

This popular quiz is based on the folk song “Soldier, Poet, King” by the American indie-folk group The Oh Hellos, released in 2015 as part of their album “Dear Wormwood.” Inspired by folklore motifs and medieval legends, the song tells of three archetypal figures—the warrior who protects, the creator who inspires, and the leader who guides.

Interestingly, the song itself has deep literary roots. The album “Dear Wormwood” was inspired by the works of C.S. Lewis and his “The Screwtape Letters,” adding another layer of symbolism to this intriguing personality classification. The lyrics describe three key figures who are destined to come and change the world: a brave soldier with a “red right hand,” a wise poet whose “eyes can see what others cannot,” and a just king who will “return to us what has been stolen.”

This poetic trinity later transformed into a quiz concept, where each archetype represents a specific set of personality characteristics, values, and approaches to life. The quiz offers users the opportunity to determine which of these three personality types dominates their character, based on their behavior, preferences, and life priorities.

The “Soldier, Poet, King” Trend on TikTok

Like many cultural phenomena in recent years, the “Soldier, Poet, King” quiz gained viral popularity thanks to TikTok. In 2022, The Oh Hellos’ song unexpectedly became the soundtrack for numerous videos where users shared their results, debated the meaning of each archetype, and created creative content reflecting the characteristics of each personality type.

The hashtag #SoldierPoetKing garnered millions of views, and the format “POV: you’re a soldier/poet/king” became a popular template for content creation. Users began creating videos portraying typical behavior of each archetype in various situations—from everyday moments to dramatic scenarios.

It’s particularly interesting to observe how the trend evolved into something more than just entertainment content. Many creators used this concept for deep reflections on personality differences, ways different types of people interact, and even to analyze characters from popular films, series, and books. Debates about whether Harry Potter is a soldier and Hermione is a king filled the comments section under videos, demonstrating how deeply this simple classification resonates with our understanding of characters and personalities.

Notably, the trend overcame linguistic and cultural barriers, spreading far beyond the English-speaking segment of TikTok. Users from Russia, Brazil, Korea, and other countries adapted the quiz to their cultural realities, finding examples in their history and literature that correspond to each archetype.

The Meaning of These 3 Personality Types from the Quiz

Behind the seeming simplicity of this three-part classification lies a deep system of archetypes reflecting fundamental aspects of human nature. Each type—Soldier, Poet, and King—represents not just a set of characteristics, but a holistic approach to life, unique strengths, and a special way of interacting with the world.

Soldier

The Soldier is the archetype of the defender and executor. People of this type are distinguished by determination, dedication to their cause, and unwavering loyalty to their principles. Soldiers are those who act when others hesitate, those who stand up to protect the values and people they hold dear.

Key characteristics of the Soldier include:

• Courage and determination — Soldiers are not afraid of difficulties and are ready to face any danger head-on. They are often the first to volunteer for difficult assignments and take responsibility in critical situations.
• Devotion and loyalty — For a Soldier, their word is sacred. They are devoted to their friends, family, community, and ideals, willing to sacrifice personal interests for the good of others.
• Practicality and results orientation — Soldiers value concrete actions over words. They strive for effective solutions and visible results, avoiding empty talk and theorizing.
• Discipline and perseverance — Representatives of this archetype are characterized by high self-discipline and the ability to overcome difficulties. They can continue moving toward a goal even when everyone around them has given up.

In history and culture, we encounter many vivid examples of the Soldier archetype: from Joan of Arc and Hercules to modern heroes of films and literature, such as Captain America or Aragorn from “The Lord of the Rings.” In everyday life, Soldiers often choose professions related to protection, service, or concrete results: military, medicine, rescue services, sports, or fields requiring execution and precision.

Poet

The Poet is the archetype of the creator and thinker. People of this type live in a world of ideas, emotions, and possibilities. They are able to see beauty where others notice only the ordinary, and perceive connections between phenomena that seem unrelated.

Key characteristics of the Poet include:

• Creative thinking and imagination — Poets constantly generate new ideas, concepts, and images. Their mind knows no boundaries and is capable of creating worlds that do not yet exist.
• Emotional depth and empathy — Representatives of this archetype possess a rich inner world and the ability to feel deeply. They intuitively understand the emotional states of others and can express what many feel but cannot formulate.
• Philosophical view of the world — Poets tend to reflect on global questions: the meaning of life, human nature, the structure of the universe. They seek deeper meaning in everything that surrounds them.
• Observant and attentive to details — These people notice nuances that escape the attention of others. The language of symbols and metaphors is natural to them; they see the world in the diversity of its shades.

In cultural history, the Poet archetype is embodied by figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, William Shakespeare, Frida Kahlo, and many other creative geniuses. In the modern world, Poets find themselves in art, science, psychology, philosophy, journalism, and other fields requiring creative thinking and deep understanding of human nature.

King

The King is the archetype of the leader and visionary. People of this type have the gift of seeing the big picture and leading others toward common goals. They take on the burden of responsibility and know how to organize chaos into a harmonious system.

Key characteristics of the King include:

• Strategic thinking and foresight — Kings are able to plan several steps ahead, anticipate the consequences of decisions, and build long-term strategies. They see not only “what is” but also “what could be.”
• Leadership qualities and charisma — These people possess natural authority and the ability to inspire others. They know how to unite different people around a common idea and motivate them to achieve goals.
• Organizational abilities — Kings masterfully structure information, delegate tasks, and coordinate team work. They create systems that work efficiently and produce results.
• Sense of responsibility and justice — Representatives of this archetype take responsibility not only for their actions but also for the well-being of those around them. They strive for justice and the creation of rules that work for the benefit of all.

Historical examples of the King archetype include such outstanding leaders as Elizabeth I, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and other personalities who managed to change the course of history. In modern society, Kings often realize themselves in the role of managers, entrepreneurs, public figures, politicians, or coordinators of major projects.

In Conclusion

The “Soldier, Poet, King” quiz is not just an entertaining test from TikTok, but a deep system of archetypes that allows you to better understand your strengths, motivations, and preferred ways of interacting with the world. It’s important to understand that traits of all three archetypes are present in each of us, but usually one or two of them dominate, determining our approach to life’s challenges and opportunities.

Knowledge of your predominant archetype can be the key to more conscious choices of profession, hobbies, ways of relaxing, and even partners. Additionally, understanding other archetypes helps us appreciate the diversity of human talents and find common ground with people who think and act differently than we do.

In an ideal scenario, we learn to integrate the best qualities of all three archetypes: the determination and devotion of the Soldier, the creative vision and empathy of the Poet, the strategic thinking and leadership qualities of the King. Such integration allows us to be more flexible, adaptive, and effective in various life situations.

So, who are you—a Soldier, a Poet, or a King? Or perhaps a unique combination of these archetypes? Take the quiz, explore your personality, and discover new facets of self-knowledge. Ultimately, understanding yourself is the first step to realizing your full potential and creating a life that corresponds to your true nature.