Nicknamed The Challenger, an Enneagram Eight tends to be characterized by a strong personality. Their passion and drive are admirable, but their intensity can feel like they're bowling you over and stomping you into the mud.
Oftentimes though, Eights don’t realize they come across so strongly, especially to other types that tend to be more sensitive, because Eights only have their own high tolerance for confrontation to measure against.
Eights are highly motivated to protect themselves by being in control of their own life because their greatest fear is being vulnerable to harm or control by others. They’re pros at defending themselves and anyone else who they deem is being treated unjustly, and fighting for a cause is their jam. Sound familiar? See if you recognize these traits in the Enneagram Eight characters from popular TV and books below!
Well-Known Enneagram Eight Characters from Popular TV
Max Mayfield from Stranger Things
Max Mayfield takes no crap from anyone. She’s used to being bullied by her significantly older and bigger stepbrother, and she’s developed a strong personality and aptitude to fight for herself. When her stepdad leaves and it’s just herself and her mom (who’s usually either working or passed out drunk), she’s back to fending for herself once again.
We also see her tendency to push people away (i.e. Lucas) rather than let them see her in a vulnerable state.
Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan
Motivated by protecting his friends initially, and later more by justice in the form of punishment for the people responsible for most of the bad things in his and his friends’ lives, he goes to some really intense lengths to bring about retribution.
He also errs on the side of unnecessary harshness, even with his closest friends, as the story progresses and the outlook grows more grim.
Well-Known Enneagram Eight Characters from Popular Books
Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass
No one tells her what to do, and no one gets away with working against her. Like most Eights, she had to grow up fast to survive and was responsible for her own and others’ well being very early on.
We also see her fight for justice in multiple circumstances, such as risking her life by turning in fake evidence of the people she was supposed to assassinate after helping those people get to safety.
Quinn from On Wings of Ash and Dust
Forced to grow up fast and compete with many men for her dream job as a high-ranking soldier in her Father’s army, Quinn is crushed when she fails. But like the Eight that she is, she finds another start as the captain of a pirate ship leading her crew to victory after victory.
Later on, during the Ethodine Trials, when both the external and internal protective measures she’s constructed are stripped away, she has to risk being vulnerable not only with new friends, but also with an enemy.
Her struggle with this and results of it are especially interesting and entertaining because her personality type is arguably the one that would have the hardest time in that circumstance. (Go read it now if you haven’t already!)
Selverine from Whisper of Weapons
Selverine is a mean girl princess with a POV in Whisper of Weapons. While she initially uses her Eight strengths selfishly to the detriment of others, there’s more to her than meets the eye.
In the sequel, House of Hybrids, her drive for justice shifts from self-centered ambition to protecting a friend in danger and helping her become emotionally healthy after escaping a lifetime of abuse. Selverine is an example of an unhealthy Eight becoming healthier as her story progresses.
The Challenge for Eights
These characters are highly motivated by justice and fear being vulnerable. They are often accused of being hot-tempered, when in reality, they are a using tough demeanor as a defense mechanism to protect their own vulnerability. They are quick to confront anything or anyone they disagree with, especially if it’s in defense of someone or something they believe in. They are fierce, determined, and intense. Which makes them wonderful allies and formidable enemies.
If you have a loved one who may be an Eight, it can be helpful to rise to the challenge and defend your point of view rather than giving in all the time, which comes across as weak to an Eight and is also probably not a healthy situation. It may also help to communicate with them about how a bit less intensity may make it easier for you to communicate with them.
Appreciate their passion, but hold your own boundaries when necessary. Engaging in a debate with a healthy Eight is a good way to show them you love them. And if an Eight ever lets you see them at their weakest when they’re broken or vulnerable, that’s a pretty big deal.
To watch an unhealthy Eight grow into a healthy, thriving Eight, start Whisper of Weapons for free right now!
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