Character Threes – Page 2 – Enneagram and Encaustic

THE DARKLING, THREE

What happens to a Three who lives for hundreds of years? Even success becomes boring eventually. He, Alina, and Mal are in a love triangle, plotwise and also in the Enneagram. Three to Six to Nine and around again. Strengths and weaknesses rebound back and forth. It’s all slightly inbred and squirmy.

He’s not only respected because his power is so overwhelming. He genuinely works to improve his Grisha army. Although his goal is basically world domination, he wants it for his team, not just for himself. It’s possible he cares for Alina as more than a tool. It’s hard to say; over the years he’s whittled away a lot of human frailty. What’s real and what are sales tactics with him isn’t always clear.

Again, Three. He’s fooled himself along with the rest of society. And the threat that he’ll take over all of civilization is not just a product of his evil power. He has the talent and personality of a Three that make his chance of success genuinely possible.

TYWIN LANNISTER (BOOK), THREE

Before we see him we know that he or his men have killed the red-toothed tavern keeper. She was just a woman running an inn. What a shame, and I believe that’s what we’re supposed to feel at recognizing her corpse on the gibbet. Tywin is not nice.

Cool under pressure, Tywin is so focused. He never smiles. Problems thrown at him barely register. He intends to break Robb Stark, and then focus on Stannis. He is the most mentally and physically disciplined person in the story. Diplomacy and persuasion are as much a part of his arsenal as tactics and might. No wonder his children are, at least, intimidated by him and, at most, terrified.

His armor is described in great detail. It’s amazing! I wish they’d included it in the show. Gold, lions, rubies, a heavy cloak long enough to drape the horse’s hindquarters. You can see him glisten from afar. What kind of man indulges in something so practical and yet so artistic? When the battle is mostly won, Tywin rides forward, shiny and majestic, surrounded by banners and spears. It’s epic. The man knows showmanship.

However, he misjudges Robb’s tactics. He calls Robb green, which he is, and assumes Robb will act rashly, which he doesn’t. It’s a great, fist-rising moment of victory for the Starks. Does he guess wrong because his pride blinds him? Is he just unlucky on this day? Or is there something about the Starks — a leadership based on camaraderie rather than dominance — that a Lannister can’t understand?

Well, his success at everything suggests a Three. He’s got it all. An imp child would particularly cause such a man to feel shame. Cersei, a medieval-era woman with a ruthless mind and a willful ambition, would baffle and embarrass him. And Jaime, the golden lion who fights hard in whatever direction his father points him, would please Tywin most.

RENLY BARATHEON (BOOK), THREE

He’s quick, funny, and light-hearted. Honest. And he dresses well with no apologies.

Strike while the castle sleeps. Renly knows exactly what’s happening in the moment Robert dies and the branches of its outcome. Take the children and Cersei will cave. Of course, he’s correct.

I like Renly! He’s easy-going and not quick to feel aggrieved. His encampment is beautiful, lively, and fun. All who follow him are at a party, it seems. He enjoys fine things but doesn’t overindulge. He’s nice to everyone, high and low. My God, he’s such a Three. If Stannis hadn’t resorted to magic and trickery Renly would’ve ended up King. He was golden and unbeatable by normal means.

PRINCE JOHN (2010), THREE

This John is played by Oscar Isaacs. So, John is a hottie now lol. During the movie John legitimately (rather than through trickery) becomes king after Richard’s death. His regency is not as important to this story. It’s his ultimate signing of the Magna Carta — his compact with the barons — that drives this John. We’re already in very different territory (historically and motivationally) from the classic of 1938.

John is volatile. When his queen advises him and he doesn’t like what she’s saying, he’s physically threatening and verbally abusive. Rains gave John a certain mustache-twirling villainy; Isaacs gives John something more realistic: unlimited power dictated by whim. No one, not even Hood, can stop him if he doesn’t want to be stopped.

This version’s King RIchard is no hero popping in at the end to save the realm, but he’s still a knight on Crusade and John still feels that baby-brother envy. I would say that Rains’ influence on the John portrayal is in effect. We will always have a Heart Type John, regardless of who he really was.

I want to say Three, though, rather than Four. This John, compared to Rains’, is harsher. Isn’t that funny? He doesn’t even try to have his brother murdered! He’s a man, though, who doesn’t like to hear “No”. He hates being thwarted, he hates being wrong, and he hates being held accountable. Meanwhile, he’s a handsome young king. Life is pretty golden for John. And the kingship lands in his lap.

I mean, c’mon. So Three.

MAID MARIAN (1938), THREE

One of the most beautiful women in film, this Marian is my heroine. The costume design (wimples!), the luminous portrayal by Olivia de Havilland, and Marian’s feisty and loyal character make this the best of the Maids.

She’s brave. As a ward she has the protection of King Richard, but he’s not around. Prince John clearly tells her that she’s vulnerable. Until that moment you could argue that Marian isn’t particularly brave. She’s entitled. However, she’s a lone woman in a rough world. Sneaking to the inn to help organize an escape for Robin is above and beyond. She’s afraid for Robin, but not for herself.

Even when she’s potentially just privileged — when she’s “invited” to share a meal with the Merry Men — she sees the poor and how Robin provides for them as pitiable and just. Marian is a “broad”, a great gal who subverts your expectation that she’ll be fussy.

So what Enneagram is she? This Marian is no Body Type. She doesn’t have a penchant for archery, horseback riding, or any outdoor activities. She’s Heart. She knows how to play a room, even a large dining hall with dogs fighting over meat scraps. She’s bold and not intimidated.

Not a Two. She’s too tough. Four or Three? Her vivacity could indicate either, but I’ll say a Three because her emotions are on such an even keel. Her ups and downs only vary slightly from center.

LOTSO, THREE

Like Prospector, Lotso is a villain because his toy life was thwarted. Remind me. He was accidentally left behind, right? And then replaced by the parents.

Ah, the cruelty of toy life. You’re one of a million versions of yourself, and yet you are supposed to be special and unique to your child. If you haven’t suffered enough wear and tear that identifies you, how will anybody know you’re their one of a kind?

Lotso is truly mean. He lies to Big Baby in order to deny him a reunion and keep him from having what Lotso can’t have. He runs the daycare like a tyrant, including using new arrivals as fodder. He’s portrayed like a sweet-smelling mafia don. And he’s an accomplished liar.

Again, let’s pretend that the creators had some subconscious sense of the Enneagram physique. Lotso, therefore, can’t be a One, Four, Five, or Six. He’s too burly. I refuse to call him a Two. Prospector has cornered the market on that portrayal. He’s too sedentary to be an Eight or Nine. Three or Seven?

Three. The evil kind. That touch of envy, of not having the toy life he deserved, is the key.

Also, no Seven would ever sit still long enough to be named Lots-O’-Huggin’.

UPDATE 7/8/2021:

After watching this again, I really must complain about Lotso. He’s the downfall, the reason Toy Story 3 is not as great as the first two. What is Lotso’s motivation, what does he want? The Prospector is such a wonderful villain. He wants a family, he wants the love and camaraderie he was denied as a toy. Tokyo is that chance for him, and he fights for it.

Lotso, though, wants . . . power? Domination? He was lost, and then replaced. What emotion does that history motivate? Envy of toys who had owners for years, yes. A place from which he can never be abandoned again, yes. How does that all translate into his actions in the daycare, though? The first question any actor asks, and any writer needs to ask about a character, is: What do I/they want? The answer must be playable, and it must be a strong foundation for the plot. Woody and the gang are crystal clear, which is why this is still a very good movie. But it’s not great, and that failure lies with Lotso.

NAKIA, THREE

She’s brave. She’s fearless. Her mission at the opening of the movie is incredibly important to her. Only the death of her king will break her away.

A Three?

She feels deeply. Injustice lights her on fire. Yet in her personal relationship she is cautious. Feelings don’t rule her in romance. These are very Woman Three traits.

Also, naturally, she’s great at what she does. Three. The family depends on her.

While admirable, Nakia is not a character we latch onto. Shuri, yes, she’s personable and animated. Okoye, yes. Who doesn’t love her fierceness and dedication? Nakia, though, is always distant. Three. A movie that made her the protagonist would be very important and probably boring.

Competency is dull, no matter how great the actress who portrays it. Interesting.

BURKE, THREE

The weasel. The corporate man. The back-stabber.

He’s so compassionate, so helpful to the just-returned from hypersleep Ripley! What a prince. He’s so sympathetic to her struggles. He’s got the demeanor of a caring Heart Type.

The faker.

His focus on the financial bottom line could make him a One, but he doesn’t strike me as a Body Type. The way he tries to hide when the aliens are attacking, backing through a door and right into one, seems physically clumsy. The lack of situation awareness is pretty dense. He’s more of a stereotypical egghead who blunders into his death.

Head Type?

Not a Seven. A Seven would be in the lab with Bishop poking and prodding at the alien remains.

A Five or Six? His almost blase attitude about the dangers of this mission seem to completely rule out those numbers.

So, he really is a Heart. He’s not a Two. Not enough sincere compassion in him. And not a Four. A Four would definitely acknowledge the utter clusterage of this mission, regardless of ulterior motives. Again, we have Hudson playing that role for the cast.

An evil, mustache-twirling Three. All false face of concern, all behind-the-back plotting to screw you over if necessary. The kind of character you love to hate. Well done.

HOLLY GENNERO, THREE

Practical, cool-headed, a manager. Although she’s in an action movie, Holly doesn’t engage in hijinks or stunts. She’s the calm rock for her work colleagues and a steely negotiator. When Hans asks her, “Who put you in charge?” she comes right back with, “You did when you killed my boss.”

My mind immediately jumps to the Enneagram Three. Those indomitable nerves are basic for Three Women. So is the take-charge attitude that doesn’t feel pushy to her colleagues. Everyone likes her.

Even her separation from John is Three-like. Threes are so driven to accomplish, and it’s so effortless for them to do a lot, that her determination to pursue her career makes sense. She doesn’t really have a problem with John; their marriage is not in trouble because of emotional differences. They just disagree about where they’ll live and whose career will take precedence in deciding that.

She’s quite an exciting and unique character to find in an action flick. Also, which makes my OCD very happy, the casting of Bonnie Bedelia is excellent. Her build is very Three-like and her take on Holly rings true for her Enneagram number.

DOROTHY GALE, THREE

I’m thinking specifically of the Judy Garland version. In the books Dorothy is too young for me to discern an Enneagram number for her. Judy was also technically a child, but I think she’s old enough for us to make some decisions about her.

My own book opened with a storytelling Enneagram breakdown of The Wizard of Oz. I remember being particularly struck by Toto’s trespassing as an action that started everything. And Toto, the dog, is going to do whatever Dorothy, the master, allows. Why would Dorothy allow Toto to go into Miss Gulch’s flowers?

Not a rule follower. Not particularly impressed with authority. Or, simply careless. Distracted.

Which means Dorothy is not a Six. Not a One.

Even though Oz is an unknown place, Dorothy confronts it bravely and immediately opens herself to the kind people who live there. Not a Five.

Possibly a Seven. Possibly an Eight. Heart Type possible.

When told to retrieve the Witch’s broom, she sets off. Not a Nine. (Professor Marvel is the Nine!)

A lot of choices left. Is there something from the movie that can pinpoint Dorothy’s number? When Dorothy is denied entrance to see the Wizard, she cries. An Eight would’ve confronted the door; a Seven would’ve devised a way around. So, Heart Type.

Let’s go back to the beginning. Toto. When Miss Gulch demands restitution for Toto’s trespassing, Dorothy takes no blame. Instead, she cries, “You wicked old witch!”

Ah. Three. Beloved by everybody, able to solve problems and save the day, refuses to admit when they’re wrong.