Dune

Stilgar: ESTJ

Guest Writer Leave a comment

Guest Post by Andrew, ENTJ

Dune, Frank Herbert


Dominant Extraverted Thinking (Te): Everything about Stilgar screams “leader.” He is most comfortable in positions of authority over and responsibility for others. Stilgar has efficiency as his first priority at all times; this is instrumental in his acceptance of Paul’s reforms of Fremen society (because why would anyone in their right mind exterminate the strongest Fremen soldiers before the big battle for Arrakis?). Stilgar is a direct communicator with a sharp tongue; he minces no words in saying what needs to be said.


Auxiliary Introverted Sensing (Si): Stilgar has every respect for Fremen culture and traditions. Even though he is open to changing the rules when the objective reality demands it, he will not initiate these changes, nor will he attempt to make them single-handedly. Most notably, he will not bend the rules without a practical reason for doing so. Stilgar knows a great deal about the Fremen mythology concerning Bene Gesserit “witches” and the Mahdi (the long-awaited prophet for the Fremen), which leads him to adopt Paul and Jessica into his tribe.

Tertiary Extraverted Intuition (Ne):  Stilgar can appreciate the symbolism of Paul’s Fremen name (Muad’Dib). He can anticipate which new developments are on the horizon at any given time, and he is open to some changes as the situation warrants. In particular, Stilgar believes in Paul’s mission to terraform Arrakis into a more hospitable planet.


Inferior Introverted Feeling (Fi): Stilgar usually puts any emotions, whether his own or anyone else’s, aside when making decisions. While he internally acknowledges his emotions, he just doesn’t consider them important enough to guide him on how to lead his tribe. Instead of having his own moral code, he has internalised the moral code of the Fremen, and follows it with all necessary rigor.

Author’s Note:

Gaius Helen Mohiam: ESTJ

Guest Writer

Subscribe to continue reading

Become a paid subscriber to get access to the rest of this post and other exclusive content.

Gurney Halleck: ISTP

Guest Writer Leave a comment

Guest Post by Andrew, ENTJ

Dune, Frank Herbert

Dominant Introverted Thinking (Ti): Gurney likes to silently analyze his situation and his environment, whether there’s a lot or a little going on around him. He prefers to teach Paul how to fight with practice alone, nearly eschewing spoken instructions altogether (Ti-Se). Gurney’s decision-making process is almost entirely based on logic, especially deductive logic, and only by using reason can anyone convince him of anything. After the death of Duke Leto and the disappearances of Jessica and Paul, Gurney is not above going outside the law to continue opposing the House Harkonnen.

Continue reading →

Alia Atreides: ESFP

Guest Writer Leave a comment

Guest Post by Andrew, ENTJ

Dune, Frank Herbert

Dominant Extraverted Sensing (Se): Alia likes to experience the physical side of life. Unusually among the women of her society, she likes fighting with a knife (in fact, she is called “Saint Alia of the Knife”) – and much like her brother, Paul, she is about as good as anyone in the known universe in her teenage years. As soon as she becomes a teenager, Alia embraces her sexuality, which gets her in trouble on more than one occasion. Alia has a penchant for quick action (she kills Vladimir Harkonnen when she is still a very young child), but she is often unaware of the long-term implications of her actions.

Continue reading →

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen: ENTJ

Guest Writer

Guest Post by Andrew, ENTJ

Dune, Frank Herbert

Dominant Extroverted Thinking (Te): Baron Harkonnen wants nothing less than the imperial throne, and he goes after it in a systematic fashion. His allies and even his family members (except maybe Feyd-Rautha) are mere pawns in his game, and his enemies are nothing more than obstacles to be overcome – or to be destroyed utterly. He has a brutal, ruthless way of dealing with everyone, and he gives direct orders to his subordinates. The baron is extremely resourceful, and he will add anyone whom he believes will be of use to his retinue; he even takes Thufir Hawat, the chief strategist of his slain arch-enemy, Leto Atredies, to be his adviser after the death of his own strategist.

Continue reading →