In this article, we will look at Bilbo Baggins personality in detail. This article explores the protagonist of “The Hobbit” and his personality type (both MBTI and Enneagram Type) in depth. It also looks at the function stack of his personality type to help understand him better.
Bilbo Baggins Personality
Bilbo is an INFP, he is the protagonist and title character of “The Hobbit“, and is perhaps the most prominent character. The storyline and theme are shaped by Bilbo’s ideas, feelings, and actions. Bilbo’s prominence is highlighted by his appeal: he is not just the most prominent, but also the most charming and honourable figure in “The Hobbit”. Bilbo retains his good judgement, bravery, and passion to help even as the other individuals of his quest get corrupted by greed.
“All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.”
-Bilbo Baggins
Introverted Feeling (Fi) / Extroverted Thinking (Te)
Bilbo has firm opinions on most issues and usually keeps his emotions close to his heart; he protects the Ring’s secret for as long as he can and refuses to tell Frodo about his plans to depart! He takes Thorin’s taunts personally, but he doesn’t let them affect his self-esteem; rather, he looks for ways to improve himself.
Nobody can ever tell him what to do, and he always does what he thinks is right. For example, he refuses to give the Arkenstone to Thorin, then gives it to the elves when Thorin breaks his word.
Bilbo is little out of touch with his surroundings; the dwarves’ joy does not elevate his spirits, nor does he bond with the Elves; in his effort to make a joke with Elrond, he worries about having insulted him!
Bilbo boldly insults many of his visitors to their faces on his 111th birthday. He also has an affinity for whom he expresses admiration for and is not particularly vocal about it. Bilbo strives to be diplomatic, but he’s more blunt. He attempts to evict the dwarves while remaining polite, but he ends up wanting to know why they are there.
When he makes a joke, he nearly insults Elrond. Whenever he sets his mind to anything, he can be rather pushy, and his typical response is “Paws off.”
Bilbo is also great at coming up with rapid, sensible solutions (staying on the route, climbing a tree to escape the wood’s enchantment and find their bearings, trading the Arkenstone to push negotiations, helping his comrades escape in barrels but forgetting he should also escape, etc.). Bilbo does not question the ring; instead, he uses it (inferior Te).
Extroverted Intuition (Ne) / Introverted Sensing (Si)
He is quick to react; he instantly knows how to play the cave trolls (by trying to stall to get more time) so Gandalf can take action; he gets involved in a game of riddles with Gollum, confident that he can win or at least hold his own, then proceeds to put all the pieces together the random connections to tackle all of Gollum’s riddles, including the one about “time” as the destroyer of all things.
He stakes his life on his capability to outwit Gollum and detects his numerous personalities (“Just you and me, let’s have a game of riddles!”). “Yes, yes, just us!” He immediately learns that the woosd are manipulating them, notices Gandalf’s nervousness, correctly recognises that they are moving in circles, and refuses to give Thorin the Arkenstone because of his minor changes.
Once he recognises the dragon’s big ego, he knows how to manipulate and outmanoeuvred him by lavishing him with praise. His love of solving puzzles and outwitting people extends well into his advanced years, when he verbally spars with his guests in a language that the majority of them do not know for his own delight.
He’s also excellent at having an eye on the big picture; once he sees Thorin growing unreasonable, he trades the Arkenstone to keep things on track. Gandalf criticizes Bilbo of being too “comfortable” in his schedule when he intrudes on him, and it’s truly the case: Bilbo has become accustomed to things being done a “particular way,” and has become finicky about it.
He likes doilies. That’s his grandma’s lorry box. He feels no urge for adventures and reverts to his old ways of thinking. And when he starts writing his memoirs, it’s all about his personal experiences! Bilbo appreciates nice meals and going back to areas he’s been before. He simply wishes to retrace his journey back to Rivendell as a “old” hobbit.
Bilbo Baggins: Enneagram: 6w5
Bilbo is scared most of the time, which is why he finds it hard to embark on an adventure but then decides to do so; he is inconsistent, sceptical, and nervous, mistrusting and trusting the dwarves, having suspicions about Gandalf and also relying on him, and trying to run away from his fear and anxiety (oftentimes using the Ring to feel secure) and running toward them.
“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
-Bilbo Baggins
“Sorry! I don’t want any adventures, thank you. Not Today. Good morning! But please come to tea – any time you like! Why not tomorrow? Good bye!”
-Bilbo Baggins
Like when he summons all his courage to defend Thorin, only to eventually stand up to him, or when he conceals the Arkenstone from him and uses it to trade with Thranduil. When Bilbo is stressed, he becomes reactive and impulsive (like a 3).
He also has a sarcastic and 6ish sense of humour. However, it takes a lot of effort to persuade Bilbo to leave his comfortable, calm, and sometimes dull life and share his resources.
INTP Function Stack
| Dominant Function | Introverted Thinking (Ti) |
| Auxiliary Function | Extraverted Intuition (Ne) |
| Tertiary Function | Introverted Sensing (Si) |
| Inferior Function | Extraverted Feeling (Fe) |
To better understand INFP, let’s take a look at the INFP function stack:
- Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)
- Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
- Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si)
- Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)
Dominant Function: Introverted Feeling (Fi)
INFPs are acutely conscious of and linked to their inner world. Their dominant Fi is inwardly centred and skilled at assessing and managing personal preferences, beliefs, and feelings. INFPs manage their thoughts and perceptions on a fairly autonomous basis because Fi is introverted in nature.
INFPs are especially likely to empathise with and form attachments with those who are unable to support or fend for themselves, such as animals, infants, the less privileged, victims of oppression, and so on.
Auxiliary Function: Extraverted Intuition (Ne)
Ne necessarily requires novelty. It is hungry for novel ideas, associations, and opportunities. It attempts to comprehend the universe (as well as oneself) through the prism of ideas. As a result, it’s no surprise that Ne is essential in INFPs’ search for self-awareness.
Ne has the ability to be articulate. Ne’s verbal language is comparable to “thinking out loud.” INFPs can find it difficult to make their points while talking because Ne jumps from one idea or reference to another. Also ideas that seem coherent to the INFP on the inside will scatter when articulated, like a light ray moving across a prism.
Tertiary Function: Introverted Sensing (Si)
Introverted Sensing is a conservative function that instills a reverence for what is standard, common, or conventional throughout the tradition. INFPs tendencies toward money and materialistic things can also display Si’s effect.
When it comes to materialistic things, INFPs are also minimalists. Many people choose simplistic living arrangements in order to dedicate more resources and time to their inner passions.
Inferior Function: Extraverted Thinking (Te)
The temptation of INFPs’ inferior function, Extraverted Thinking (Te), is exemplified by their proclivity for T-oriented professions like mathematics, sciences, economics, finance, computing, engineering, and so forth.
Te has to be the most “left-brained” of all functions, with order, coordination, quantitative analysis, and the ability to handle T items like money and resources.
Conclusion
In this article, we looked at Bilbo Baggins personality in detail. This article explored the protagonist of “The Hobbit” and his personality type (both MBTI and Enneagram Type) in depth. It also looked at the function stack of his personality type to help understand him better.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bilbo Baggins Personality
What personality type is Frodo Baggins?
INFP
Frodo, for example, is regarded as ‘The Idealist,’ since he is inherently kind, honorable, inquisitive, and compassionate. If this describes you, you are most likely an INFP personality type, exactly like Frodo, the ring-bearer!
What is Gandalf’s personality type?
INFJ
Gandalf is an INFJ according to the most typical MBTI results.
What is Legolas’ personality type?
ISFP – Legolas
Although Legolas in the movie is perhaps better matched with the ISTP personality type, he is unmistakably an ISFP in the books. He is motivated by his beliefs, has a spiritual connection to nature, and reacts to events based on how they affect him instead of what is rational.
What is Tolkien’s personality type?
J.R.R. Tolkien, writer and renowned Myers-Briggs INFP Personality Type, is most regarded for his devotion to the film versions of his works of literature The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but his impact on contemporary culture extends well beyond that.
What personality is Aragorn?
ISTP
Aragorn is an ISTP to the core—quiet, introverted, adaptive, and physically capable. ISTPs aren’t naturally drawn to positions of authority, which is why Aragorn is hesitant to assume the throne of Gondor.
References
The Hobbit: Bilbo Baggins [INFP 6w5]