Achilles MBTI Personality Type
Personality
What personality type is Achilles? Achilles is an ESFP personality type in MBTI, 3w4 - sx/so - 378 in Enneagram, SCUEI in Big 5, SEE in Socionics.
While Achilles is a very difficult character to type Enneagram-wise (I'd argue he's borderline untypable), I don't think that 3w4 suits him very well and I'd like to explain why. I feel as if the argument for Achilles being a 3w4 is essentially "Achilles has goals and wants glory. Therefore, he's a 3." This is a very, very simplified version of the 3 core's schtick that doesn't actually focus on the 3's essence, which is the inclination towards deceit via the creation and advancement of a false identity. Achilles never attempts to become anything more than he is, simply because he already *is* the best warrior of his time, Aristos Achaion and all that. The fundamental feeling of inadequacy that drives the entire heart triad is missing in Achilles. In fact, he constantly acts in a way that suggests that the affirmation of others is a secondary desire of his at best -- he doesn't seem to care about his group of friends in Phthia, he doesn't care if his lack of sexual interest in the servant girls is particularly socially acceptable, he insists on granting Patroclus a spot at every table and on bringing Patroclus with him to Chiron and to war, even if it displeases his mother or ruins his reputation in the eyes of the soldiers. Truthfully, Achilles lacks so many of the core 3 traits that I cannot find it in myself to see him as one. (Sidenote: In fact, the character that seems to worry constantly about his reputation is Agamemnon, who we have typed as an 8 for... some reason.) The only place where Achilles seems to value his reputation over all else is in his dealings with Agamemnon. While this may seem like 3 core behaviour, I'd argue that this conflict is moreso one based in power, the realm of the 8. Achilles refuses to back down because he refuses to allow Agamemnon to seem like the victor -- he needs Agamemnon to bow down to him, to show Achilles' strength and dominance. In the first half of the novel, Achilles is pretty much framed as a perfect individual -- after all, he's a demigod and more than human, which makes him really difficult to type. However, I'd argue that he has consistently displayed a disregard for authority, which is an 8 trait. Any of Achilles' more thrill-seeking traits that may be attributed to 7 can also be attributed to the lusty 8 (I cannot remember if he delights in battle, but if he does, that's even more 8 behaviour). Achilles' insensitivity towards those he doesn't care for is also highlighted numerous times, with such insensitive behaviour being more suited to the insensitive 8 as opposed to the people-pleasing 3. The innocent core that's been tarnished by the outside world, rendered hateful and cruel, is also a trope that's associated with the Enneagram 8, and I think it depicts Achilles' evolution throughout the novel pretty well. I admit that this isn't perfect -- once again, I don't believe that Achilles has enough flaws to be perfectly Ennea-typed because he's meant to be more than human *by design*, but these are the more 8-ish characteristics I've observed in Achilles before the war. During the war, I think Achilles' desire for power, his distrust of others, etc. are out in full force, allowing the 8 typing to be rather evident. I would argue that his final vindictive treatment of Hector -- dragging him through the streets, even as everyone around him shudders and recoils -- clearly demonstrates his willingness to sacrifice his reputation (3) in favour of sadistic, foolhardy revenge (8). Achilles' greatest flaws (his ego, his temper and his insensitivity) are all classic 8 traits and not 3 traits. Achilles does seem rather mellow for an 8, which is why I'm voting for the social 8, but I do think that 8 is still his best-fit Enneagram type. ...anyway if you're still reading, please read my The Song of Achilles fanfic thank yew: https://archiveofourown.org/works/36414382/chapters/90792172
Biography
Achilles is the main character of the novel The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Profile picture is @_mohtz on Twitter! Achilles, known also as Aristos Achaion (best of all the Greeks) is Patroclus' best friend, lover and soulmate. He is the son of the King Peleus of Phthia and the Sea Nymph Thetis
