Warning: This post contains spoilers for the most recent season of Game Of Thrones
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Should you for some nonsensical reason happen to find yourself lagging behind on the most recent season of Game Of Thrones, the good news is that you still have a few months to catch up. The bad news is that you make poor decisions and probably wouldn’t last long in Westeros. Then again, this is a series famous for killing off characters, so you would be in good company!
Related: George R R Martin Promises Fans He'll Finish The Books
George R. R. Martin’s fantasy epic is packed to the brim with interesting and complex characters (some might even say too many), and they include some perfect examples of personalities on the Myers Briggs Type Index (MBTI) to examine and dissect. So let’s get to the bottom of how some of the major players actually play the game. (Note: This is only for the HBO series and not the actual books.)
10. Eddard Stark: The Logistician - ISTJ
Ah, the noble Eddard Stark. As Littlefinger says pretty early on, Ned Stark’s biggest weakness is that he plays by the rules. ISTJs are straightforward realists that will play it by book to a fault. Think Jim Gordon or Mike Ehrmantraut for Breaking Bad. The Starks' separation in the north from all of the political games and trappings of King's Landing is the perfect place for them. Ned knows who he is in the north and what his mission is. Rule over the north with a swift iron fist of justice? Check. Make sure the Night’s Watch are all good? Check. Play all of these petty dishonest games of power in King’s Landing? ....Ned...? Ned?! NED?!
9. Tywin Lannister: The Architect - INTJ
Sometimes with lists of this nature (taking a fictional character and defining their personality type), it can be hard to really narrow down the specifics of why a character does or says a certain thing and really get to the bottom of their character. This is not one of those times. Tywin Lannister is an Architect through and through. INTJs view the world as a series of chess matches. They are always tuned into their opponents, which generally means everyone they come across. Tywin’s greatest weakness, which ultimately leads to his downfall, is his inability to connect with others emotionally. He is logical and calculating to a fault. Had Tywin been a little more emotionally intelligent maybe Tyrion wouldn’t have put a bolt through his chest.
8. Daenerys Targaryen: The Advocate - INFJ
Daenerys of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, The Unburnt, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Queen of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Lady Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons. Whenever you need someone to free a city or two of slaves or liberate Westeros from the threat of the wicked Cersei, Khaleesi is your girl. INFJs need to have a cause to rally behind, which probably explains the Mother of Dragons meteoric rise through the series - so far. The advocates are altruistic and empathetic making them great leaders despite their distaste of controlling others. If she manages to survive until she gets the throne and avoids that awful Targaryen madness, she’ll actually make a pretty good ruler.
7. Jon Snow: The Defender - ISFJ
Y’know, for a guy that supposedly doesn’t know anything, Jon Snow has certainly made it through some rather intense shenanigans. From “Hardhome” to the “Battle of the Bastards”, it seems like not even death can keep the White Wolf down. Jon is a classic Defender, altruistic, humble, patient, and compassionate. Jon is the kind of guy that volunteers to go even further north and risk his life. ISFJs see the value of hard work and take joy in it, especially when they know they are doing so in service of others. The ISFJ tends to struggle with abstract concepts, which probably makes it a good thing Jon hasn’t taken many trips down south. He definitely the guy to go to with a concrete goal - like stopping an undead frozen horde from destroying Westeros.
6. Arya Stark: The Adventurer - ISFP
Practically the first thing you find out about Arya is that she wants to be an adventurer. She is a young girl truly connected to who she is as an individual. As an Adventurer, Arya feels the call of unknown greater than any character in the series. She is ruled by her feelings more so than logic as her motivations throughout the series are geared towards taking revenge on those that have done harm to her family. ISFPs may be ruled by their emotions but they are down to earth individuals with a sensitivity to the emotions of those around them. Just don’t cross them because they will always remember. Always.
5. Tyrion Lannister: The Debater - ENTP
This personality type may as well be called the Tyrion. ENTPs are rational thinkers that are able to verbally articulate complex ideas with ease. Tyrion is at his best when he has someone to bounce ideas off of, which makes him a great person to fill the role of the Hand of the King (or Queen) of Westeros. Debaters can be very argumentative and intolerant when confronted with beliefs or opinions find illogical or stupid. At his heart, Tyrion is a people person or as he might put it “I try to know as many people as I can. You never know who you might need.”
Related: Game Of Thrones Scripts Confirm Tyrion Is In Love With Daenerys
4. Brienne of Tarth: The Logistician - ISTJ
ISTJs are serious centuries. They play by the rules and take their life-debts seriously. Brienne of Tarth is no exception to this rule. Brienne demands structure and spends almost the entire series picking up one mission after another. It’s a little surprising Lady Brienne has made it this far as she is one of the only truly open and honest people left alive. ISTJs reliable and are known for establishing and maintaining order. They’re the perfect person to have on your side when you need to deliver a pesky Lannister or even when trying to locate a daughter or two.
3. Jamie Lannister: The Entrepreneur - ESTP
Speaking of pesky Lannisters - Jamie Lannister is about as pesky as you can get. Not the cute kind of pesky either. More the beat-your-cousin-to-death-in-an-animal-pen kind. Jamie has, however, seen some enormous growth as a character. ESTPs are more likely to rush through something and apologize for the consequences later than ask permission before. Entrepreneurs are independent, personable, and phenomenal when it comes to thinking on their feet. Jamie may have come a long way from being the guy who pushed Bran out of a window but he’s still the same witty, sensible thinker he’s been since his days on the King’s Guard.
2. Petyr Baelish: The Logician - INTP
"Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder. Many who try to climb it fail and never get to try again. The fall breaks them. And some, are given a chance to climb. They refuse, they cling to the realm, or the gods, or love. Illusions. Only the ladder is real. The climb is all there is." This quote, better than any other, cuts to the core of who Petyr Baelish and the rest of the INTPs are. INTPs are masterful strategists that not only survive but blossom in chaotic situations. The rest of the world could be crumbling down around him and Petyr Baelish would be standing at the epicenter staring directly at the iron throne.
1. Cersei Lannister: The Executive - ESTJ
Cersei Lannister. The ice queen herself. Cersei is a cold and unforgiving ESTJ. She is a horrifying example of what someone can accomplish with the right people under you and a little bit of determination. Executives are incredibly dedicated and strong-willed individuals but, as we're sure Jamie can attest, this makes it difficult for them to wind down. ESTJs are always “on” so to speak. They are highly organized, motivated, hard-working individuals that consistently meet deadlines with a smile. Despite having all but nuked a church full of people, Cersei is a natural born leader with a keen sense of how to control both situations and people.