Captain Sword and Captain Pen: A Poem

Captain Sword and Captain Pen: A Poem by Leigh Hunt is a poem created in the 1800's that questions war by looking at power through intellect. The poem uses characters to show how awful battles are and argues against valuing war too much. Captain Sword is a fighter, with a war-based approach to arguments using violence, while Captain Pen uses smarts and thinking, representing how reason overcomes. At first, Captain Sword is celebrated as a hero for war, but then he gets disgusted by the horrible realities that are war. On the other hand, Captain Pen earns the respect of everyone through teaching, talking without fighting, and doing what is right. They struggle, showing we need to think about what we think is brave, resulting in an ending that wants knowledge and kindness more than bloodshed.