The Poet — Kismet Character Profile

About The Poet

Central protagonist mistaken for a beggar who leverages a supposed curse reversal to gain wealth and status. He navigates political intrigue in Baghdad, orchestrates elaborate schemes with Lalume, protects his daughter Marsinah, and ultimately exposes the corrupt Wazir to secure his family's future.

The Poet — Character Profile

Character Facts

Played by

Howard Keel

Appears in

Kismet (1955)

Role

Protagonist

Relationships (5)

• The Poet — Family Father — Marsinah (Ann Blyth)

  Biological father-daughter bond marked by protective control and financial provision.

• The Poet — Alliance Deceiver — Jawan (Jay C. Flippen)

  Temporary alliance built on mistaken identity and financial manipulation.

• The Poet — Conflict Adversary — Wazir (Sebastian Cabot)

  Hostile relationship stemming from arrest, false accusations, and a public curse.

• The Poet — Alliance Co-Conspirator — Lalume (Dolores Gray)

  Strategic partnership formed through shared cunning and mutual attraction.

• The Poet — Conflict Indirect Antagonist — Caliph (Vic Damone)

  Adversarial dynamic triggered by the Poet's public sabotage, later resolved through familial revelation.

Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Kismet

More characters from Kismet

• Marsinah (Ann Blyth)
• Lalume (Dolores Gray)
• Wazir (Sebastian Cabot)
• Omar (Monty Woolley)
• Caliph (Vic Damone)
• Police Sub-altern (Ted de Corsia)
• Jawan (Jay C. Flippen)
• Hasan-Ben (Jack Elam)
• Chief Policeman (Mike Mazurki)
• Harem Girl (uncredited) (Pat Sheehan)
• Fevvol (uncredited) (Ross Bagdasarian)
• 1st Princess of Ababu (uncredited) (Reiko Sato)