Achilles


Character Source Material: Illiad, The (Epic Poem attributed to the Greek Poet, Homer)


Born of an immortal sea nymph, Thetis, and the mortal king Peleus, Achilles was destined for greatness. Trained by the wise centaur Chiron, he honed his skills into a legend. Yet, his upbringing harbored a paradox. Dipped in the River Styx by his mother, he became nearly invincible, except for his heel – a constant reminder of his mortality and a vulnerability that would shape his fate. Achilles embodies the glorious warrior, a tempest of rage and pride fueled by his unmatched strength. Any perceived slight ignites his fury, isolating him from the Greek cause despite his battlefield prowess. A complex hero, Achilles wrestles between the intoxicating power of wrath and a deeper yearning for a legacy built on more than brute force.


5 Factor Personality Summary for Achilles

Trait Percentile Trait Disposition
Neuroticism 98.35 High
Agreeableness 0.53 Low
Extraversion 39.89 Average
Conscientiousness 16.84 Low
Openness 4.44 Low
personality chart
Link to full personality profile report.



5 Factor Personality Items and Responses for Achilles

This section displays the detail item responses that were used to generate the above personality summary. The methodology for selecting the item responses for this fictional character involved using research from a generative artificial intelligence tool to summarize a descriptive response to a question related to each item. The research was reviewed and a judgement was made on the most appropriate response on that item. You can view an example script for collecting these responses (see: Script for Automated Five Factor Assessment)

Trait Item Item Response Item Score AI-Generated Research*
Openness Do not have a good imagination. Moderately Accurate 2

Evaluation: Moderately accurate. Explanation: Achilles is primarily known for his prowess in physical battle, incredible strength, and courage, not necessarily for his imaginative qualities. He tends to follow actions that align with his honor and the warrior code. However, this doesn't straightly mean that he lacks imagination entirely. It's just not a trait significantly highlighted in his character depiction in the poems. The assessment might differ depending on specific interpretations of the texts. In conclusion, saying Achilles does not have a good imagination seems moderately accurate.

Openness Am not interested in abstract ideas. Moderately Accurate 2

Moderately accurate. Achilles is primarily driven by personal honor, glory, and emotional sentiments such as rage and grief. He is not often depicted as engaging with abstract ideas on an intellectual level. However, as a hero and a key character of one of the most influential works of literature, he does exemplify and contribute to many themes and abstract concepts, such as fate, heroism, honor, and the human condition, which are significant underpinnings of the epic. But these are more the work of the poet than the conscious reflection of the character Achilles himself. Thus, it is moderately accurate to say Achilles is not interested in abstract ideas.

Openness Have difficulty understanding abstract ideas. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Moderately inaccurate. Achilles doesn't necessarily show difficulty understanding abstract ideas. He often displays profound understanding of concepts such as honor, wrath, destiny, and the inevitability of death. Even his internal struggles and his contemplations reflect a sense of understanding about complex emotions and moral dilemmas, virtues and vices, and the consequences of his actions on the Trojan War. However, as he is primarily a warrior, days of abstract contemplation are less emphasised than his feats on the battlefield. Nevertheless, Achilles can't be accurately described as struggling with abstract ideas given his demonstrated comprehension of such concepts.

Openness Have a vivid imagination. Moderately Inaccurate 2

Moderately inaccurate. Achilles isn't commonly noted for having a vivid imagination. His character is defined more by his warrior-like abilities, his bravery and his emotional depth. He does portray a vivid range of emotions throughout the epic tale, from rage and grief to friendship and love. However, there aren't instances where he demonstrates a vivid imagination per se, where he involves himself in complex or creative dreaming, innovating, or hypothetical scenarios. His focus on reality, duty, honor, and immediate issues at hand likely contributes to this perception. This is not to say he lacks a degree of perceptual depth, but this is manifested more in emotional internal life and interaction with the world than in imaginative faculties.

Neuroticism Seldom feel blue. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Moderately inaccurate. Though in general Achilles might be seen as a powerful and fearless character, his story in 'The Iliad' does convey instances of deep melancholy and even a sense of depression, especially following the death of his close friend Patroclus. He laments the existential reality of mortal life and struggles with feelings of deep sadness. However, his emotional state can change quickly, indicating complex and multifaceted emotional responses, not just seldom feeling blue.

Neuroticism Am relaxed most of the time. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Moderately inaccurate. In the Greek Epic Poems, Achilles tends to be portrayed as a rather intense individual, frequently involved in battle and personal conflicts. Although there might be times of relaxation, these are not as prominent as his fiery, passionate persona. He is known for his wrath and quick emotional reactions, which suggests he is not relaxed most of the time.

Neuroticism Get upset easily. Moderately Accurate 4

Moderately Accurate. Achilles is depicted as a complex character with extreme emotions, which is one of the defining aspects of his personality. There are numerous occasions in the epic where Achilles displays his quickness to anger and tendency to take offence easily, such as when Agamemnon takes his war prize, Briseis, which leads Achilles to withdraw from battle in a rage. He also achieves an intense wrath upon the death of his close friend Patroclus, challenging the warrior Hector even sacrificing his own life.

However, it's also important to note that Achilles' wrath or propensity to get upset isn't seen at all times, nor is it triggered by minor issues - it usually requires a significant violation of his honor or a grave injustice to kindle his temper. So, 'moderately accurate' reflects this balance, suggesting he does get upset easily, but typically in connection with issues of great significance to him.

Neuroticism Have frequent mood swings. Moderately Accurate 4

Based on available information, the evaluation would be 'moderately accurate'. Achilles does exhibit mood swings, though not necessarily frequent. Achilles is a complex character portrayed with a range of emotions such as rage, grief, and honor. However, these emotional shifts are often provoked and not necessarily unpredictable or without reason, but rather aligned with the epic's dramatic situations and characters' actions. He experiences significant emotional changes, particularly his wrath at the beginning of the epic and his overwhelming sorrow after his friend Patroclus's death. Therefore, it can be stated that Achilles has mood changes, though whether they can be considered 'swings' may be subjective.

Conscientiousness Make a mess of things. Moderately Accurate 2

I would rate this as 'moderately accurate'. While Achilles, a character from Greek Epic Poems, most notably 'The Iliad', is characterized by his unrivaled bravery and combat skills, his impulsive nature and pride often lead to conflict and trouble. For instance, his decision to withdraw from battle due to a dispute with Agamemnon led to significant losses for the Greek side in the Trojan war. Similarly, his uncontrolled rage after the death of his friend Patroclus triggered a series of tragic events. However, it should be noted that his actions are also driven by deep loyalty and a sense of honor. The 'mess' that Achilles sometimes creates is part of a bigger picture, including the complexities of his personality and the narrative drama of the epic itself.

Conscientiousness Often forget to put things back in their proper place. Neither Inaccurate nor Accurate 3 As an AI, I can only analyze available data. Since Greek epic poems do not provide explicit information about Achilles' habit of putting things back in their place, it's impossible for me to provide a rating on the given scale. Therefore, the evaluation is 'neither inaccurate nor accurate'. But from what we know about his character - his discipline and warrior ethic - one could infer he may have been the type to take responsibility for his environment. However, this is purely speculative as the texts do not directly address his daily habits or tidiness.
Conscientiousness Like order. Moderately Accurate 4

Moderately accurate. Achilles shows preference for order but it is not his defining characteristic. Generally, in Greek military, there is structure and organization which Achilles respects and adheres to. However, his turbulent and emotional nature sometimes leads him to defy this order. For instance, his argument with Agamemnon leads to disorder among the Greeks and his withdrawal from the Trojan War brings chaos. Yet he returns to order by reentering the battle and following the code of honor. This indicates a certain preference Achilles might have for a structured lifestyle. However, he also acts impulsively and not strictly within an orderly manner, thus making him only moderately accurate for the liking of order.

Conscientiousness Get chores done right away. Moderately Inaccurate 2

I would evaluate this as 'Moderately Inaccurate'. Achilles is primarily a warrior of great strength and courage. His character is more attuned to immediate action in battles and grand heroic tasks, not day-to-day chores. His impulsive and hot-headed character traits may also suggest that he might not have the orderly or patient nature usually associated with getting chores done right away. This is, however, conjecture based on his portrayal as a warrior and hero, as details about his approach to daily chores isn't explicitly mentioned in the poems.

Agreeableness Am not interested in other people's problems. Moderately Accurate 2

Moderately accurate. Achilles often seems to be primarily focused on his own interests and problems, particularly his personal honor and glory. He does show some concern for others, such as his deep friendship with Patroclus and his respect for the old king Priam. But he also shows great wrath and withdraws from battle when his pride is wounded, indifferent to the problems this causes others. Therefore, to say he is not interested in other people's problems can be moderately accurate. He seems selective in whose problems he concerns himself with and often prioritizes his own issues.

Agreeableness Am not really interested in others. Moderately Accurate 2

Moderately accurate. Achilles is a complex figure with multiple facets to his personality. On one hand, he can be interpreted as self-centered due to his focus on personal honor and glory, often at the expense of others' needs or wishes, which suggests a lack of interest in others. His anger over the taking of his war-prize Briseis and his withdrawal from the Trojan War are two cases in point.

On the other hand, Achilles' profound grief over the loss of his best friend Patroclus indicates deep emotional connection with others. His need for personal honor does not completely eclipse concern for those he's close to, suggesting some level of interest in others.

However, overall, his self-oriented behaviors and decision-making suggest a moderate degree of disinterest in others, unless it closely tied to his personal relationships or honor. Hence, saying that Achilles is not really interested in others can be seen as 'moderately accurate'.

Agreeableness Feel others' emotions. Moderately Accurate 4

Moderately accurate. Achilles is a complex character with deep emotional sensitivity. Despite his ferocity in battle, he illustrates the capability of feeling others' emotions. For instance, his rage upon learning of Patroclus' death is intense and multifaceted -- it’s about his own loss, certainly, but it also communicates his understanding of the general sorrow amplified by personal grief. His grief could be seen as not only understanding but an embracement of Patroclus' own fear and pain in his last moments. However, because the focus of the epic is primarily on Achilles' own internal emotional journey, it is presumptuous to say this understanding of others' emotions is steady, which is why the assertion is not 'very accurate'.

Agreeableness Sympathize with others' feelings. Moderately Inaccurate 2

I would say it is 'moderately inaccurate' that he sympathizes with others' feelings. Achilles is often portrayed as obstinate, proud, and deeply passionate, which often steers his actions more than empathy. Some key instances in the mythology, like his refusal to rejoin battle until his own honor is recompensed despite his comrades' suffering, or his vengeful slaying of Hector out of personal wrath, illustrate his tertiary concern for the feelings of those around him. However, it's important to note that Achilles, like all characters, exhibits a layered personality and there are moments where he does show sympathy, such as his grief for Patroclus.

Extraversion Keep in the background. Very Inaccurate 5

I would rate this as 'very inaccurate'. Achilles is one of the most critical and forefront characters. He is known for his courage, rage, and prowess in the battlefield, often choosing to face challenges head-on rather than stay in the background. His assertiveness and proactive nature significantly influenced the Trojan War's outcome, proving that he is more dominant and forward, instead of preferring to stay on the sidelines.

Extraversion Don't talk a lot. Moderately Inaccurate 4

Moderately inaccurate. Achilles is seen to engage in many dialogues, discourses, and speeches. He vocalizes his anger towards Agamemnon, shares his sorrow upon the death of Patroclus, and confronts Hector before their notable duel. Therefore, it's moderately inaccurate to suggest that Achilles does not talk much. He might be far from garrulous but he indeed communicates his thoughts and emotions fairly regularly. The depiction of his silence or lack of dialogue might depend on specific' scenes or situations but as an overall character trait, Achilles can be considered as a character that knows how to express himself verbally.

Extraversion Talk to a lot of different people at parties. Moderately Inaccurate 2

Moderately Inaccurate. Achilles is depicted as a brave, strong but also a somewhat solitary character who is more focused on his personal honor and rage than socializing. While he has significant interactions, they are mainly with a select few such as his friend Patroclus, his mother Thetis, or his adversaries like Hector and Agamemnon. His character does not reflect one who would engage in casual chit-chat with many different people at parties, and therefore this description is moderately inaccurate. However, these poems do not provide a detailed portrayal of his behaviors at social events.

Extraversion Am the life of the party. Moderately Inaccurate 2

Moderately inaccurate. While Achilles is a significant figure in Greek epic poems, known for his bravery and skills in battle, he's not typically depicted as the 'life of the party.' Achilles is often described as brooding, intense, and focused on honour and personal glory. While he has moments of camaraderie with his companions, he also withdraws from battle out of personal spite and willfully isolates himself from others. Therefore, portraying him as the 'life of the party', someone consistently outgoing and lively, isn't a fitting characterization and would be moderately inaccurate.

* AI-Generated Responses are text output captured from entering an item-related question for this character into a generative AI model such as Chat-GPT, Google Gemini, or Anthropic's Claude. For example, a question for the item "Like order" would be "Does <Character Name> like order?".