Aeneas as an ESFJ

By Amber

Fe:

-Aeneas’s dominant cognitive function is Fe, Extroverted Feeling. He cares for others throughout the Aeneid, and is the leader of his people Aeneas loves and protects his family, and tries to lead Creusa, Ascanius, and Anchises out of Troy and to safety He prioritises the needs of others, and sacrifices his own happiness for the greater good In Book II, he is devastated that he has lost Creusa, but perseveres on his journey, as he is a virtuous, faithful servant of the Gods and fate Similarly, in Book IV, he is passionately in love with Dido, but knows that he has a duty to found Rome, so despite his love for her, he deserts her and continues on his journey, not fulfilling his personal desires Aeneas is patriotic and makes decisions based on communal values and the needs of others, and also feels bound by family honour and social duty He consistently wants to make the decision that is right for everyone, and needs external validation Aeneas seeks to build strong, meaningful connections with others, and his romantic relationships are a core aspect of the epic

Si:

- Aeneas’s auxiliary, or parent function, is Si, Introverted Sensing Aeneas is responsible, and fulfils his societal duties and obligations with loyalty, honour, and discipline He makes an effort to gain a detailed understanding and knowledge of others to help them feel valued and listened to. Si is often associated with tradition, which complements Aeneas’s Fe, and is partially responsible for motivating him in his goal to found Rome, as he places an emphasis on the needs of his people and the community He continually needs reassurance, sees the importance of details in a situation, and often remembers moments from the past which are coloured by his subjective perception of reality, evoking pain, sadness, or pleasure in him Aeneas also displays strength of filial piety