“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be Blade that was Broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
Aragorn, son of Arathorn, the High King of the Reunited Kingdom (among other titles) is one of the most revered characters in fantasy literature – an honor that he undoubtedly deserves. A somewhat tortured soul, he is nonetheless driven throughout J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series by high ideals and a deep desire to protect the people and lands that he loves.
As a result of his time being raised in Rivendell and his Dúnedain heritage, Aragorn possesses abilities and knowledge that exceed those of most men. His skills as a Ranger and healer are invaluable as he assists the Fellowship on their journey to destroy the One Ring.
Despite his reticence to lead, he is an inspiring and encouraging commander who fights passionately beside followers and friends alike. Those who are allowed into his sphere are loyal, and that loyalty is always reciprocated. Even those who may doubt his ability or valor eventually see his strength of character and proclaim their allegiance.
“I would have followed you my brother...my captain...my king.”
A complex individual, Aragorn, in our opinion, is a fascinating portrayal of a Turbulent Advocate (INFJ-T). Pensive yet passionate, he exemplifies many of the traits that make individuals with this personality type so unique and inspiring.
Personality Analysis
This Ranger from the North may seem difficult to peg into one personality type based on his quiet, unassuming nature. Those particular traits, however, actually provide us with some pretty significant clues regarding his type. Consider the following.
Introverted
Noble lineage notwithstanding, there are few characters in the great literary catalog as worthy of a loyal following as the 35th King of Gondor. Despite his hesitations about pursuing his rightful place at the throne, Aragorn is a natural leader due to his thoughtful, humanitarian nature.
That said, this Introverted Ranger finds himself at home in his own mind, contemplating his thoughts and considering his next move. He cares deeply about the plight of Middle-earth but prefers acting on his convictions over trying to persuade others.
A quiet, almost brooding individual, Aragorn seeks only the company of a select few people who he can trust, a telltale sign of an Advocate personality. He is passionate and loves deeply; however, very few witness any overt displays of affection from the guarded and secretive warrior.
Intuitive
Much of Aragorn’s knowledge and abilities come from a combination of his Dúnedain lineage and his time spent with the Elves of Rivendell. He is able to provide healing and is an excellent tracker. While many of these talents were taught to him, he also possesses an Intuitive personality trait that guides him through even the most hopeless and dire of situations.
Combined with his Feeling trait, this gives Aragorn a level of empathy that allows him to get to the core of what people are truly feeling. He uses this trait to connect with others and inspire fearful troops and crestfallen kings alike.
Feeling
Though there are several moments (in both the films and the books) where Aragorn’s Feeling trait is on display, some of the most profound are his interactions with individuals who may be deemed by some to be “less important.”
Aragorn soothes Théodred’s horse, Brego, who is traumatized by his master’s horrific death. He leads the people of Gondor to their knees to bow before the heroic hobbits after they successfully destroy the Ring. His love for creatures great and small is evident in the way he treats all those he comes into contact with and fights to protect.
“They fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you.”
Of course, one cannot forget Aragorn’s deep and long-lasting love for his Elven Queen, Arwen, who gives up her own immortality to be his bride. He chooses to accept her love despite the fact that she will now eventually face death, but this decision brings him great anguish. Just knowing that the Ring’s increasing power is hastening Arwen’s death is enough to send Aragorn into battle to finally defeat Sauron’s army.
Judging
“If by my life or my death I can protect you, I will.”
Justice, fairness, and balance are driving forces in Aragorn’s life. While he is flexible when necessary, he is also extremely solution-oriented. He isn’t just a high-minded mystic – he actually makes actionable steps toward reaching these lofty goals. Because of his strong, stubborn will and Judging personality trait, he is able to achieve extraordinary things.
Turbulent
While he doesn’t doubt his abilities in battle, Aragorn wages a Turbulent internal battle regarding his worthiness as a leader and a king. Tortured by his ancestor Isildur’s failure to destroy the One Ring and by the murder of his father, Arathorn II, Aragorn feels that it is necessary for him to remain undercover.
It doesn’t help that Aragorn is also torn between his fear of succumbing to human weakness (namely their lust for power) and his desire to be a force for good. This struggle plays out within Isildur’s heir constantly, preventing him from feeling truly at peace with his role in life.
Conclusions
“A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down. But it is not this day! This day, we fight!”
Here at 16Personalities, we strive to determine personality types as objectively and accurately as possible. That said, our analyses are also based on our personal opinions about fictional characters. They’re likely to differ from other opinions that may be available from other sources.
Aragorn is a complex character that has enthralled and inspired readers for generations. Hopefully, this brief inquiry into his personality type has provided you, the reader, some food for thought (and maybe some inspiration to pick up the books or watch the movies again).
We would love to hear your opinions as well. What thoughts do you have about Aragorn’s personality type? Leave your comments below!
Further Reading
Bibliophiles and Bookworms: Rereading Books by Personality Type
A Woman for All Seasons: What The Handmaid’s Tale Can Teach Us About Personality Type