Dune Characters

[intuitivet]

I was wondering what you thought the mbti types were of the Dune characters from the book (I guess the film too, but it would probably be different).

 

[Dr. Zombie]

Duke Leto was probably an INTJ. He just struck me that way, someone who really thought things through but was quiet and introspective when alone. He knew his own demise was coming, planned his way around it knowing it wouldn't help anyway... and that fatalistic thinking and adherence to plan is certainly INTJ-ish.

Chani was probably INFP or ENFP. Not sure which. I'd lean ENFP, just because an introspective fremen would probably be eaten by a sandworm. She had a lot of feeling to her, but despite her need to survive (an S skill, you'd think) she seemed to make a lot of intuitive leaps and really rely on an N-type mindset.

Duncan Idaho was ESTJ, I figure. Strongly attuned to his senses, more concerned with the here and now, but thought things through logically and was very aware of the world around him.

Gurney was ESFJ, all the way. Like Duncan, very attuned to the world, battle and his senses, but was inclined to trust feeling over thinking. He had a softness (he was a musician) tempered by a nasty tendency to anger quickly. He certainly had the ESFJ mindset.

Paul is difficult to classify. In a sense he was the ultimate form of INTP. His intuition about the universe was something we could only could only wish for. And he was an intense introspective thinker.

Jessica was probably ISFJ, despite the fact that Bene Gesserit seemed to screen for too much Feeling.

I suspect ALL Bene Gesserit were Introspective Thinkers. They cultivated a certain distrust for anything related to Feeling, and on top of that, required intense focus on their internal world for their rites.

Thufir was INTP, all the way. I suspect most mentats would have to be, actually, given the EXTREME focus on Ti. I mean, can you think of a better name for an INTP than "Human Computer?" I can't...

 

[RedLoki]

I think you have the characters spot on, I would too peg Paul as an ultimate INTP.

INTPs are indecisive, unless given a direction or task to complete. His reason to be Emperor was given to him rather than decided by himself. He wanted to avenge his father's death and his family name. He was given that purpose and he figured out, step by step, exactly how to do it. Once he became emperor, he realized he didn't want it. In Dune Messiah, he admitted wanting to live a much simpler life with Chani among the Fremen. Not caring or wanting to lead is another classic INTP trait.

 

[alkeides]

I dunno, I think the Fremen are a rather introspective people, why would introversion be a disadvantage for survival in the desert? Self-awareness plays a role in moving across the sands, minding your stillsuit, and most of all in riding the worms.

Leto II was probably an INTJ, he had a plan (the Golden Path) and was willing to do whatever it took to accomplish, of course the entire collection of ancestors is another thing to consider.

Baron Harkonnen was an ISFP IMO, especially if you ignore the prequels (i.e. he got fat because he wanted to, not because of some BG disease).

 

[Hadoblado]

Wow very good thinking Dr Z!

 

[Wish]

In that book you were either an INFJ or an INTJ.

I mean, all the talk of prescience ... that is as close to Ni as you will get.

 

[Latro]

In that book you were either an INFJ or an INTJ.

I mean, all the talk of prescience ... that is as close to Ni as you will get.

Literal prescience transcends MBTI, imo. Ni is prescience-y, but doesn't literally tap into time itself to make predictions.

 

[Wish]

Literature transcends MBTI too, we're just approximating anyway.

 

[ElvenVeil]

hmm.. Idk.. I don't see why you would ever name Paul INTP. . In fact I would say most of the characters are INTJ.. I would also say that the reason why Frank Herbert made his characters INTJ's, is because he himself is an INTJ as far as I know.

So let's see.. it has been a year or so since I read it, so it should still be rather clear in my mind.

Baron Harkonnen, could be an INTP though.. this hedonism tendency strikes me as somewhat Ti Ne.

Leto I .. hmm.. he is difficult to know, as we do not get to know him that well.. But it would be likely that he is an ISTJ imo.

Thuffir ? ......... hmm. I would not set him as INTP either .. at least not without great hesitation.. he is clearly I and T.. I am not certain that he is P.. not many characters in the dune novels are. . but the reason I really hessitate is because of his personality; A mentat should be Intuitive... So if we look at him, as a mentat, then I would say yes, he is an INTX, but his personality seems more like S than N.. the reason I see this, is because of his reactions towards the lady jessica, in the first book.. He keeps naming her witch and is uncertain and untrusty of her intentions.. If he truly was an INTX by personality, then I would say that he would not be so narrow minded, and so stuck in his own little world view. . He simply does not make the connections that the N function would do, in my humble opinion.

Paul/Leto II - > INTJ's. Imo they are both extraverted thinkers, although I could understand if people argued that Leto II would be INTP. in fact he actually seem INTP'ish.. or.. hm.. I keep second guessing myself about him..

Jessica.. .. I really doubt see would be an F type.. As you name, it is not a Bene gesserit forte to be F.. The way she acts in the following books would also make me believe that she was a sensing person (although every person in the books show N, imo (perhaps with a very few exceptions))..

Therefore, Sumary:
Paul : INTJ
Leto II : INTP (based on his personality in the book God Emperor of Dune) although he could simply just be INTJ , like most people in the book.
Leto I : ISTJ
Harkonnen : INTP
Jessica: IXTJ (could very well be INTJ)
Thufir: INTX (Mentat) ISTJ (personality)

Also, Returning to paul.. Basing the INTP on the fact that he does not walk the golden path, is not good enough imo.. That you do not wish to follow a path that will bind you in a worms body for milenia, is an understandable move.. He is a person who acts rather than thinking ( J , P) .. there is a reason that he alone can unite the Fremen and become the new Emperor of the universe

I mean, all the talk of prescience ... that is as close to Ni as you will get.

agreed

 

[Hadoblado]

I find it very difficult to judge these, the whole prescience stuff makes J/P sorta redundant because it's like you already have as complete information as you will ever get, making P sorta useless.
I find the fremen in general to be overwhelmingly S, but it seems this is a good thing as if they stop to think they die.

 

[Wolf18]

Paul and his father have to be ExxJs to maintain power. Paul is very task-oriented and will stop at nothing to get what he thinks is right. I'd put Paul at ENTJ and his father at ESTJ.
The Mentats all have to be INTPs (maybe a few Js?)
Jessica is quiet and behind the scenes and a Bene Gesserit -> INTJ
Harkonnen would epitomize the Mastermind where he not so...un-intuitive -> ISTJ
Chani is quiet and loyal; all Fremen would have to be P because of sandworms -> ISFP

On a side note, did it bother anyone that the Fremen all spoke a twisted version of Arabic? I mean, Sabakh anur (or however they put it in that conversation btwn Paul and Chani) means "Good morning" as a reply, not "Good evening" as a conversation initiator. Stuff like that bothers me...

SW

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I was wondering what you thought the mbti types were of the Dune characters from the book (I guess the film too, but it would probably be different).

This thread is how I found this site.

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I was wondering what you thought the mbti types were of the Dune characters from the book (I guess the film too, but it would probably be different).

 

[scorpiomover]

On a side note, did it bother anyone that the Fremen all spoke a twisted version of Arabic? I mean, Sabakh anur (or however they put it in that conversation btwn Paul and Chani) means "Good morning" as a reply, not "Good evening" as a conversation initiator. Stuff like that bothers me...

SW

Dune is an alternate version of the history of Islam.

Paul is Mohammed.

The Fremen are the nomaic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Butlerian Jihad is the Dark Ages, during which time the Muslims conquered everywhere they went, and the only thing stopping them from taking over America, was the atlantic ocean.

 

[scorpiomover]

Typology:

Paul is an INFP:

REVEREND MOTHER: Your mother wants you to tell me about your dreams. I only want to know one thing.... Do they come true?

PAUL: Not all of them... I know which ones will.

Duke Leto is an INFJ:

He's an intuitive:

DUKE LETO: (studying the dark sea below) I'll miss the sea... but a person needs new experiences... they jar something deep inside, allowing him to grow. Without change, something sleeps inside us... and seldom awakens... The sleeper must awaken.

He has Fe:

KYNES: (inner voice -- as he studies the Duke) This Duke is more concerned over his men than the spice! I must admit... against all better judgement... I like this Duke.

He's a J: He orders his men about.

He's an introvert, because he's not all that friendly to most people, but is very close to those who are part of his inner circle.

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

Dune is an alternate version of the history of Islam.

Phenomenal observation.

 

[scorpiomover]

Dune is an alternate version of the history of Islam.

Phenomenal observation.

I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or a compliment.

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or a compliment.

 

[LOGICZOMBIE]

Dune is an alternate version of the history of Islam.

Phenomenal observation.

I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or a compliment.

The Secret History of Dune | Los Angeles Review of Books

Frank Herbert’s “Dune,” an enduring science fiction classic, owes much of its mythology to “The Sabres of Paradise,” an undeservedly forgotten history.

lareviewofbooks.org