Pens and Personality : A Polaroid from the Past

Did you know that a simple pen can give great insight into personalities? My mother discovered this one day.

Our mom home-schooled us and one day she had us all at the kitchen table for a writing assignment. She gave us each a brand new pen while explaining the assignment. Suddenly, our personalities came to life before her eyes through the different actions we chose to take with our pens.

I began to ask for more specifics about the assignment. I'm the first-born, a conscientious Melancholy and duty-fulfiller ISFJ. I wanted to know exactly what was expected of me and I wanted to do it right. The pen was just a pen to me at that moment.

Our resident performer, the baby of the family and a Sanguine, stood up on his chair --not an unusual occurrence in those days-- and began waving his pen about like a baton, grandly and loudly telling us what he was going to do. He's an ENFJ, but back then it was just obvious that he was an extroverted Sanguine and acted more like an ESFP.

My mother then looked over at the quiet INTJ, the middle-child and a Phlegmatic. He had taken his pen apart and the pieces were neatly laid out in front of him. From many little incidents, this one included, it was obvious to us that he was the "engineering type."

Photo Credit: Edana A.

Please note: I don't know how The Humoral Personality System relates to Myers-Briggs. From my own experience, I wouldn't say all INTJs are phlegmatics nor are middle-children all Phlegmatics either. The same can be said with all the other personality types expressed, especially in connection to birth order. Not all ISFJs are necessarily Melancholy, but I suspect that Melancholy is either the prime or secondary type in their personality since Introverted Sensing is an ISFJ's primary function.

The Musketeer Series: Post 5, Athos

Athos always seemed to command respect. This is surprising when looking at some of his behavior for he was a heavy drinker and ridiculous gambler in the first book. However he is good with the blade, brave, and possesses nerves of steel. He speaks little, but is observant. This dual feature is one that marks him as a Pleg-Mel.  One of my brothers is the same way.  Dumas tells us directly that Athos is phlegmatic, but doesn't say that he is melancholy, however his sensitivity and deep emotions are evidence of this.

Calm

Phlegmatics are quiet people with a dry wit who love peace and tranquility yet can be tenaciously stubborn (Littauer). They also have a desire to be respected because they can be overlooked due to their quiet steadiness (Littauer). They hide their emotions (Personality Plus 65) and are natural mediators (Littauer). One Phlegmatic flaw is "in-action."  Because they love to take their ease, they are not seeking advancement or trying to finish lots of things like a Choleric. Instead they are content to sit were they fall. According to Littauer, they think of all potential actions in terms of energy conservation: they try to use as little as possible.  When the four friends were in need of money to buy equipment for the military campaign they were about to embark on, each employed their own strategy for finding it.  Athos' was quite unique. He decided that he would do nothing and stay at his lodgings waiting for money to come to him (Dumas). If it did not, then he would find some of Richelieu's soldiers to fight with and die in an honorable dual (Dumas).  The reason for this tactic: he did not want to "risk a step to find equipment." In other words, he did not want to waste a step. He would rather not "waste" energy trying to find equipment but would wait, and if it did not come he would go and die fighting in a duel for the king and save himself the trouble of finding equipment. Certainly eccentric, yet definitely Phlegmtatic.  

Phlegmatics can also be very obstinate (Your Personality Tree 49). Most of the time they just don't care enough to be obstinate, but when they do, they are immovable. Regarding the incident above, Dumas says, "He was resolved to not risk a step to equip himself." To this resolution Athos held firm.  Another time, Athos went ballistic and shut himself and his servant in a wine cellar for 15 days. He more than avenged himself for being falsely accused of paying with fake money (Dumas 358,361).    

One Phleg-Mel trait is the dislike of conversation.  I say this because both my brother and Athos possess this attitude. Athos economizes his words and communicates with his servant by gestures and even rebukes his servant for speaking aloud without permission. In regards to his servant, his philosophy seemed to be, "why use two words when one will suffice? And why use any words when a hand signal will suffice?"  For some Phlegmatics, this desire to cut back on talk stems perhaps stems from their desire to avoid conflict. Discussion can easily turn to debate or to uncomfortable topics. Littauer finds that Melancholies like to work alone because conversation slows progress (Personality Plus 34). For me, as a Melancholy, I find that this is true and that conversation disrupts my thought process for I can't think when people are talking loudly, even if they're not specifically addressing me. And so, putting all of this together I surmise that speech is disruptive to the Phlegmatic's desire for peace and the Melancholy's desire to think deeply.  Phleg-Mels have no use for useless chatter: it requires a response from them which is work and disrupts their thoughts which are engaged on a deeper level and are more important (in their eyes) than small talk.
Littauer tells us that Phelgmatics are not emotional and hide their emotions.  Melancholies on the other hand, are emotional but often hide their feelings deep inside themselves, subtly giving clues or suddenly exploding when they can't take it any longer (atleast, that's what I do).  Athos hides his feelings and can act very calm when he is afraid.  Dumas remarks multiple times the "Sang-froid" of Athos, in other words, his ability to be "calm, cool, and collected," which Littauer in turns declares to be a Phlegmatic trait (with these words exact).
In the sequel Athos received a short visit from his son Raoul. Raoul asked his permission to go and visit some friends which Athos lovingly granted, but as soon as Raoul left the room he laments how quickly the lad's thoughts turned from him to others.  Typical Melancholy. Giving to those they love even when it pains them and feeling hurt about it. They read farther into little things others might not even notice and take them to heart. (Based on Littauer).
There is so much that could be said, so much more that could be analyzed, but this is pretty long already so I think I'll leave off here.... ; )

 « car au milieu de l’effroi général lui seul avait conservé ce calme et ce sang-froid de grand seigneur qui ne le quittaient jamais » -Dumas

"For, in the middle of the general terror, he alone had conserved this calm and this composure of a great lord that quitted him never. -Dumas (Translation by Edana A.)

            

The Musketeer Series: Post 4, Aramis

We see that Aramis is neither Choleric nor Sanguine because he neither takes control nor is talkative.  Under scrutiny, one sees that he is a Melancholy.  Melancholys seek perfection and the ideal and are depressed because they don't find it in this world (Littauer, Your Personality Tree 46).  They are analytical and pay attention to the little details (Littauer, Personality Plus 15, 38-39).  They like order and are orderly and organized (39, 15).  As introverts (15) they study their own thoughts and feelings.  Aramis, though serving as a musketeer, planned on joining the Church one day.  The Catholic Church has a system of hierarchy and the monks and priests  live in an orderly fashion as they strive for perfection by abandoning the sins of the world.  Aramis studied theology and at one point he began working on a thesis under the guidance of church officials (336).  So we see that Aramis has a bent for the scholarly pursuits and analysis.  This is fitting with the Melancholy personality since Melancholies tend to do well in school because they pay attention to details and many are perfectionists.   

            Aramis was chosen to write an important note about a delicate business because he was the one with knowledge and finesse in matters like this.  This scene is a charming little anecdote because the personalities of the different characters come out quite clearly. D’Artagnan, the go-getter Choleric tries to write the note but lacks the finesse needed and instead said brash things that would be rude (585). Athos, the Phleg-Mel of noble birth, understands what sort of things not to say and corrects D'Artagnan's mistakes, but either not wanting to take the trouble or else recognizing Aramis' superior skill he recommends the task to him.  Cholerics are not known for patience and d’Artagnan was soon frustrated with Athos' corrections, at which point the work was given over to Aramis. As a Melancholy, Aramis did not snap up the task in the first place but waited until his talents are recollected by the others. After d'Artagnan's rough attempts, Athos told him to give the plume to "the abbot" since it suited him -meaning Aramis- and Porthos seconded the idea declaring him a writer of theses (585).  Once finished, Aramis read his note, "as if each word had been scrupulously weighed" (587). Thus we see Aramis' attention to detail.  The note was so well written that Athos praised it and placed Aramis on par with the Seceretary of State (587).   
We are also told that Aramis has beautiful teeth "of which, like the rest of his person, he seemed to take the best care" (Dumas 38).  The tidiness of the Melancholy carries over into hygiene and appearance, so they tend to be dressed neatly and appropriately, and guard every hair in place (based on Littauer).
There is much more that one could say on this subject, but I believe this is enough for the time being.  If you read the book then you may see for yourself how these characters come to life while picking up other clues to their personalities. 

The Musketeer Series: Post 2, D'Artagnan

D'Artagnan is Choleric. Cholerics are natural leaders who want to accomplish lots (all manner of things).  They have a strong desire to achieve their goals (Littauer, Your Personality Tree 24).  They are born leaders that act quickly in most situations (Littauer, Personality Plus 16).  Unfortunately, they can be controlling and bossy (Littauer, Your Personality Tree 24) and are more interested in achieving goals than understanding the emotions of others (Littauer, Personality Plus 55).  D'Artagnan does not boss his friends but he does use his influence to reach his goals. He doesn't worry about the pain he causes others or the "necessary losses."

For example, when he discovers that Ketty, a servant of Milady, is in love with him, he encourages that love in order to achieve his goals: vengeance on Milady and a night in Milady's room.  By feeding Ketty's love (through kisses and pretending that he loves her), he could attain letters addressed to his adversary, intelligence, and access to Ketty's room at all hours which is connected to Milady's own (431).  We see that Ketty's sentiments were nothing to him for Dumas writes that d’Artagnan had already sacrificed Ketty in his mind in order to obtain Milady by her will or by force (431). « Le perfide, comme on le voit, sacrifiait déjà en idée la pauvre fille pour obtenir Milady de gré ou de force » (431).  In the end d'Artagnan had his way.  He avenged himself and he made love with Milady (468-472).

The three musketeers and d’Artagnan went on a quest to bring back the Queen’s ferrets (jewelry) and so save her from trouble (Dumas 219-282).  D’Artagnan was the head of this mission (249). The mission succeeded but he was very hard on the horses because he felt extreme hast was necessary for the success of the mission.  One horse fell with blood running from his nose and eyes.  Thus, the mission succeeded because he was dedicated to the goal and did not count the lives of horses as worthy reasons to halt.

In Vingt Ans Après, d'Artagnan is forty years old and thus is a seasoned adult; no longer a brash young man.  Yet, his choleric temperament is in some ways more pronounced than ever.  In Les Trois Mousquetaires, d’Artagnan frequently asks his friends for advice and they formulate their plans together, while in the sequel, he just tells Porthos what the plan is.   Vingt Ans Après starts with d'Artagnan frustrated that he has not advanced in life. He is still a lieutenant of the musketeers which is where Dumas left him in Les Trois Mousquetaires.  He did not advance up the ranks of command, but stayed in the same position for twenty years. Our Choleric compares his status and wealth with that of his friends and laments that his friends moved up in life while he did not. Since Cholerics want to be in control (Littauer Your Personality Tree 44) and want to be rising up the social ladder, his frustration is demonstrative of his personality.     

Remember that "choler" refers to "anger"?   Dumas mentions several times that d'Artagnan became very angry whenever anyone put impediments in his way.  In chapter 27, during a desperate pursuit of the escaped M. de Beaufort, d'Artagnan asks a soldier at the castle questions about the escape. The man was rather uncooperative and d'Artagnan becomes angry, yells at the man, and threatens to kill him, and is soon supplied with the information he sought.  My loose translation of Dumas' description of the angry d'Artagnan: "The anger rose in d'Artagnan's face, his brow furrowed, his temples colored" (323).  This is classic unbridled choleric behavior.  Florence Littauer recounts many stories of angry and frustrated Cholerics shouting at or bossing others. 

D’Artagnan is still up to his horse killing trick, for on that same mission, he ran two different sets of horses until they collapsed (Dumas, chapter 27).  At one point Porthos suggests giving the horses a breather, but d’Artagnan replies “Tuons-les au contraire, tuons-les! Et arrivons," (324) which translates too, “Let’s kill them on the contrary, let’s kill them! And arrive.”  He means to run the horses until they die and arrive at their goal without delay.

Statue of d'Artagnan in Paris

This mission was a mad one too. He was trying to capture the escaped de Beaufort who had a two hour and a quarter lead (323).  He said, “two hours and a quarter, that’s nothing, we’re well mounted, right Porthos?”  Porthos replied with a sigh, knowing what misery was to come for his horses.  Again, he doesn’t care about the horses being focused on the goal.  Cholerics are so goal focused that they will and can undertake what other temperaments would not.  They take pleasure in being in control and reaching their goals, while the other temperaments would see it as out of reach and not even attempt it.  Littauer writes, “Powerful Cholerics not only like to achieve goals, but they thrive on opposition. If popular Sanguines set out to accomplish a task, and someone says it can’t be done, they thank the person profusely—and quit. Perfect Melancholies regret the time they’ve spent in planning and analyzing the situation, and Peaceful Phlegmatics are grateful it can’t be done, because it sounded like too much work in the first place. But tell Powerful Cholerics it’s impossible, and it just whets their appetite” (Personality Plus 57).

Sources:

Dumas, Alexandre. Les Trois Mousquetaires.  Paris, Garnier Frères:1966

Dumas, Alexandre. Vingt Ans Après. Paris, Garnier Frères: 1962 

Littauer, Florence. Personality Plus. Rev. and exp. ed. Tarrytown, New York: Fleming H Revell Company Pub., 1992

Littauer, Florence. Your Personality Tree.  Dallas: Word Publishing, 1986.

Image:  http://versaillesgossip.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/statue_dartagnan_paris.jpg

The Musketeer Series: Post 1, The Humoral Personnality System

There are several different systems for analyzing personality types. My favorite is the Humoral System. In this method the personality types are named after different "humors" of the body. "Humor" is an old term for the fluids in the body. In the Middle Ages people thought that an imbalance in these fluids caused maladies and determined temperament.  The four humors that represent personality types are Melancholy, Sanguine, Choleric, and Phlegmatic.
Sanguine refers to the blood. This is a very warm and emotional temperament. They are the kind of people whose blood is frequently racing or it is rushing to their faces because they are excitable and emotional.
Phlegmatic refers to the phlegm of the throat, very dull, thick, and slow moving.  They're not dumb, but others may perceive them this way because they are passive and unmotivated to get ahead like Cholerics.
Melancholy means sad. In the Middle-Ages people attributed melancholy to an excess of the "black bile" excreted by the spleen, (Merriman-Webster), hence certain French poets, like Baudelaire, call the melancholia from which they suffered, "spleen." 
"Choler" is yellow bile secreted by the liver (Merriman-Webster) and "choleric" means easily angered (Merriman-Webster). In French the word for anger is "colère" similar to "choler."  Cholerics are goal-oriented people who get angry when things aren't done their way (Littauer).
People will usually exhibit some traits from all the categories, but are typically classified as belonging to two categories.  The category that describes them the most is their dominant personality while the one that are next most like is their secondary personality type. So people can be classified as Melancholy, Phlegmatic, Choleric, or Sanguine, ignoring the secondary personality type.  Just focusing on the primary temperament still gives a fairly accurate description of the individual. However, they can also be classified as Mel-Sang, Mel-Chlor, Mel-Phleg, Sang-Mel, Sang-Chlor, Sang-Phleg, Chlor-Mel, Chlor-Phleg, Chlor-Sang, Phleg-Mel, Phleg-Chlor, Phleg-Sang.  The primary type is listed first and the secondary second. Thus a Mel-Sang exhibits some different traits than a Sang-Mel.
In my analysis I found that D’Artagnan is Choleric, Porthos is Sanguine, Aramis is Melancholy, and Athos is 
Phlegmatic. More specifically, Athos is a phleg-Mel. The secondary personnality of the others is proving harder to figure out, so unless I figure them out soon, I will only talk about Athos at this level of analysis. 

The Three Musketeers

Housekeeping Note:
Since this is not a paper I am not going to stress out about citation, so it may prove to be slightly erratic.  The books from which I primarily learned about personality types are Personality Plus and Your Personality Tree by Florence Littauer.  Facts and anecdotes about the musketeers are from Les Trois Mousquetaires and Vingt Ans Après by Alexandre Dumas (père).
If you want to use any information from my blog it must be properly cited. If you wish to cite specific information about personality types, please consult these books instead of citing them as in my blog. The analysis is my own. I did not read what others have to say about the personalities of the Musketeers.

The Three Musketeers

humanscience.wikia.com

Soon to come will be a series of posts on The Three Musketeers and Twenty Years Later (The sequel) focusing on the personalities of the characters (though there may be a few smaller posts about other observations). As I was reading Les Trois Mousquetaires I found myself analyzing the main characters. I've long loved learning about personalities and studied the humoral personality types (Melancholy, Sanguine, Choleric, and Phlegmatic), so as Dumas recounted in detail the appearance, thoughts, actions, and idiosyncrasies of the famous four, I naturally began to classify them. (Can you tell I'm a Melancholy?)
These books are truly well written. The characters are very three-dimensional and act in ways that are consistent enough to be analyzed.  They are very much like real people yet they are also like the larger than life characters of legends...or like the people highlighted in books about personality as examples since they can be very "over the top" and eccentric.  It is these extremes that lend them so well to analysis.
I hope you enjoy the series to follow.