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Friday, April 25, 2014

Seven INTP Fictional Characters That Everyone Loves

A few months ago, I was going through a dilemma. An identity crisis, of some sort. I was asking myself questions that no man should ever ask himself. Curling up in the corner rocking myself to calmness, I tried to douse down my mind which was so on fire with these ideas. I never told anyone about it, though, primarily because a) It's not their business, b) they wouldn't understand, c) they couldn't help, and d) because I just didn't want to. But now I've figured it out. I've searched and I have found. Now, I am confident enough to show my findings to the whole world!

I think. (Post may be subject to change.)

This dilemma, this crisis, the agonizing question that kept me up night is this: Are there any good fiction characters that are INTP? Can you imagine the pain I was going through during this time? See, before, I thought that INTP characters were too reclusive and nerdy to go on any high-action adventure story and be enjoyable. I know if I was ever put in a fantasy situation, I'd just stand awkwardly for at least ten minutes, staring at a single object. Flinching at each sound. Trying to recollect my thoughts. Attempting to rationalize what I was seeing. I'd suck as a fictional character.

However, after hours of internet searching and several sessions in front of my television, I discovered not one or two, but seven fictional characters that are loved by millions and Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

#1: Spock



Psh, everyone knows this. The Vulcan science officer of the USS Enterprise from Star Trek is pretty much the INTP mascot of the world (next to Albert Einstein, of course). The way he could give a hilarious and witty response just by looking at you when you say something stupid, the way he trusts logic and reason to make his judgments, the way he was always unbiased and patient and warm, all of this point to his being INTP. Additionally, he is the second-in-command advisor to the captain. He just walks around and gives Kirk all the options and possible strategies, explaining what this or that may or may not be--that's, like, the INTP natural habitat. He's a nerd, he's simple, and he's laidback--just does what needs to be done if he has to do it.

Spock, everyone's favorite science officer from the Enterprise, is an INTP.


#2: Gandalf



I saw something online that referred Gandalf, a wizard from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit,  to be an INTP. At first, I was skeptical (aren't I always, though?), thinking that maybe INTJ would be a better fit, but as I watched the movies and contemplated his character, I became less and less convinced that he was INTJ and more and more convinced he was indeed an INTP. First, he's a recluse. Second, his leadership is absolutely necessary for the dwarves and super-power-teams yet he still slips away and leaves for months on end (This points primarily to his P). Third, he almost always suggests, and rarely commands (Except, of course, when balrogs are involved). Fourth, he's very philosophical and wise. Fifth, he sort of just stands there most of the time being cool. Sixth, he always wears the same clothes, even in the presence of the freaking elves. Seventh, he's more of an INTP thinker than an INTJ strategist.

Therefore, Gandalf, one of the most powerful wizards of Middle Earth, is an INTP.


#3: Yoda



When I first saw this, I also doubted. Then I continued looking at his character and contemplated his idiosyncrasies. Yoda, the most powerful Jedi of the galaxy from the Star Wars saga, is clearly an INTP. It's all in his strong mind, his patient and thoughtful attitude, his nerdiness about the Force, and even his leadership strategy (Make a plan. Make a few alternate plans, just in case. Then tell all the other Jedi masters to do everything for you.) When Yoda was first introduced in Episode V, you see him as a crazy little green guy with a funny diet and unkempt hair who asks a bunch of stupid questions just for the heck of it. Then, all of sudden when you mention something interesting, he turns into a wise, gentle, and incalculably deep know-it-all.

Yep, Jedi Master Yoda is definitely an INTP.


#4: Snoopy



Hold on to your head! You might be so taken aback at this, it may slam into the wall and knock a hole in it. Snoopy, Charlie Brown's lovable beagle from the world-famous comic strip Peanuts, is an INTP. Lo and behold, I also furled my eyebrows with this notion, considering that possibly he was an INFP instead. Then I remembered that his decision-making process involved no emotional feeling whatsoever. Snoopy is daydreamy, yet very intelligent at the same time. He's creative and likes to do that which isn't normal or conventional. He's a dog, yet he knows how to read, write, and understand English--which makes perfect sense, because INTPs are natural grammarians (That's not exactly the case with Yoda, but anyways). Let's also remember that Snoopy likely has a space expansion device hidden in his doghouse that makes it larger on the inside. Only an INTP would have that.

Therefore, I have concluded that Snoopy is an INTP.


#5: Neo



The Matrix Trilogy is a series that is heavily involved with Truth, computers, amazing graphics, and shares name with a mathematical phenomenon. What makes you think an INTP wouldn't be the main character? Anyways, he's reclusive and soft-spoken. Always saying "Whoa," and begins as being reactive instead of proactive. He's also a computer programmer and hacker, which is an extremely common hobby for INTPs (I neither program nor hack... just saying.) He absorbs information and then manipulates it to his own fancies while at the same time being an uncannily fast learner (sure, a lot of it was programmed into his brain, but still.) He's much more closed up and stubborn than most INTPs, however. But not every INTP has every INTP trait.

If Neo isn't an INTP, I wouldn't know what else he could be.


#6: Bruce Banner



Okay, so maybe he isn't your favorite character from The Avengers, and maybe the green rage monster inside of him has more personality than he does, but let's not forget that he was indeed a lead character in one of the most top-grossing films in cinematic history. Anyways, he's generally calm because he's taught himself that he shouldn't let so much stuff beat him down. He's learned to let go of his predetermined schedule and just do whatever comes at him at the time. He's a recovering INTJ, I think. Anyways, he's smart, he's a physicist, he's a step ahead yet at the same time a step back, he's an advisor, a thinker, an observer, and a problem-solver. And what's up with always wearing purple?

Bruce Banner, the man behind the Hulk, is an INTP.


#7: Elsa


She's not just a lady, she's the Snow Queen! Elsa, from the highest grossing animated film in history, Frozen, who also sings the Grammy-winning song "Let It Go" strikes me as an INTP. For one, she's constantly trying to solve the riddle of her problem--the power to make... uh... cold stuff. Secondly, she recluses away from her extroverted sister, which, I mean, she has a perfect reason and she's sad about it and all, but still. Thirdly, her emotions are uncontrollable. Most Thinkers stuff their emotions and feelings in a bottle. INTPs, however, don't have bottles due to the unfortunate fact that they usually don't have feelings. When they do, it sort of... shows. Additionally, Elsa constantly reminds herself to "Conceal. Don't feel." which is, like, the motto of all Rationals next to "Sleep Less. Think More." and "Sarcasm Beats Stupid." She also, all of the sudden, decides to build her own castle in her own world with just her instead of being in a leadership position as Queen over actual people. J's would never suddenly abandon all their plans and schedules like that.

For me, Elsa is an INTP.

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Of course, there is some room for discussion with my typing. Some of these movies I haven't seen in a while (The Matrix, for example) and others I've only seen once (Frozen, for example). I've seen several different typings for some of these characters. For example, Disney claims that Elsa is an INTJ, this poll says that a majority of people think Yoda is an INFJ, several links say that Snoopy is Extroverted, and Neo has been given a great fleur of different types.

For the record, I do not type fictional characters based on their cognitive functions. Really, many people have been mistyped due to these. Wall-E, for example, who is clearly an INFP, has been erroneously typed as an INTP for being Si Ne Ti Fe. All that does is cause confusion, and I'm almost inclined to say they don't even exist. This article will help explain why I say these things, so I'll just stop there.

Are there any more world-beloved fictional characters that are INTP?

6 comments:

  1. Neo, Bruce Banner, & Gandalf are INTP's. You forgot, Sherlock Holmes, Peter Parker, Dr. Manhattan, Egon Spengler, Data, & Fox Mulder [also INTP's].

    If you want to make fun of INTP's, they have: George Costanza (amoung their ranks).

    However:

    Spock is ISTJ.

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  2. Wow! From the characters I actually know of (never seen the matrix), this is spot on! You give excellent reasons that completely make sense. Plus, I was surprised to see a list of characters I've continuously felt related to, or drawn to, without real understanding why. As an INTP female, I've enjoyed these characters more personally than I can say my other friends have. It feels wonderful to know INTPs are actually portrayed in movies. While I am biased, INTPs have an excellent personality type that a lot of people enjoy, so it's wonderful to clearly see where we show up in Hollywood.

    Also as an aside, when watching Frozen I was stoked about Elsa. I thought "alas! An Intp disney princess!" The Internet felt otherwise though and claimed she was an INTJ. So thank you for reaffirming me with your excellent reasoning.

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    Replies
    1. I know right intps in fiction are rare enough let alone female intps

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  3. Spock is definitely not an INTP, he is J as they go. He is most likely ISTJ, he is very rigid in his logic, not very intuitive type.

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  4. Aramis from the three muskteers original books also was very likely an intp or at least had some intp traits most intp's when it comes to leadership would rather take a behind the scenes role he once tried to get someone he could influence set up as king of France he also had a rather diverse career interest going between the church and the musketeers

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  5. I think all these are pretty spot on, however, you did leave out a couple that I think are the ultimate INTP characters. First, there's Andy from Shawshank Redemption. He is SO INTP! Watch the movie or something; you will immediately see what I mean. Analytical, unemotional, secretive to the core, logical, and interested in highly unusual hobbies (geology).

    Second, there's Alan Turing from "The Imitation Game". I know it's not a super-well-known movie, but it was MADE for INTPs. In fact, I think it's safe to say that Alan Turing is the most accurate INTP character I've ever seen. And we INTPs understand this - there are SO FEW of those!!! I connected so well with him I actually felt emotional - lump in my throat and all! The movie is a Rational's playground; most of the action is in your head. You have to solve the puzzle and follow the dialogue closely, which is exactly what we love. Most extroverts, feelers, and sensers doooon't appreciate this. ;) I highly recommend it.

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