MBTI Type: ISFJ

Elijah has centuries of experience, which makes him accurate at sensing when others are lying to or manipulating him. Marcel believes Elijah is “wrapped up in centuries of his family’s crap,” implying that Elijah spends more time thinking about the past than the present. He is extremely dutiful and completely loyal to his family; but also does not forgive their numerous offenses against him. On occasion, Elijah will allow others to see into his past subjective experiences. He is infinitely practical and collects detailed information before acting against his adversaries, often using proven methods to ensure later success. Though not always accurate in sensing when others are about to dagger him, Elijah has some faith in supernatural abilities and premonitions. He senses that Davina’s drawings are important and doesn’t stop pondering them until he reveals their true purpose: the return of Celeste. He is much more diplomatic than Klaus, who believes Elijah has always had superior “people skills.” Elijah does a lot of strategizing, but often maneuvers people in order to make things happen – both for good and ill (risking Elena’s life to ensure Damon and Stefan’s support, but later apologizing to Elena for it). Marcel knows that Elijah cannot help becoming emotionally involved when people need him; Rebekah says Elijah is “willing to forgive anything.” Elijah berates his brother often for his cruel and foolish behavior, while also believing in his potential for redemption. He tries to act for the best interest of all involved, through brokering peace, coming up with treaties, and maintaining authoritative but polite control in the French Quarter. Elijah often puts aside his own feelings for the betterment of his siblings. He is driven to “fix” the damaged people in his life, by continually paying attention to their emotional needs and responding to them. His strategies are surprisingly effective, and he plays things close to his chest. Elijah tends to seek ways around problems, like figuring out how to keep “Katerina” alive during the sacrifice or force his brother into submission. Elijah refuses to lose hope even in the most dire of circumstances, and comes up with unique ways to circumvent potential issues (consecrating their mother’s bones, manipulating witches, etc). He can also turn off his emotions when necessary and behave brutally, to teach others a lesson and/or pay them back for attempting to harm members of his family. He is good at anticipating various outcomes and planning for them. Elijah senses what others need from him, and acts accordingly. He has a raging inability to spot danger before it happens, though (inferior Ne), causing him to be manipulated, staked, and taken advantage of by Katherine and Klaus multiple times.

Enneagram: 1w2 sp/so

Elijah is more moral than anyone else, and torn up about his failures, past mistakes, and ruthless murders. He keeps his anger inside and uses it to fuel him into action, but also has a need to keep his family together, playing the peacemaker between his siblings and asserting himself as a moral authority to dictate the terms. In this way, Elijah is incredibly self-sacrificing (giving up Hayley for his brother’s sake, and fighting his love for her) but also arrogant and morally superior in his assumption that Klaus needs him to protect, educate, and chastise him. He earns his family’s love through serving them and feels resentful when they do not reciprocate. He keeps his feelings tightly buttoned up and will not let them out, both out of a fear of loss of control and out of a desire to help his brother improve, through self-denial. Elijah can be moody, deeply depressed, and self-loathing under stress (1 moving to 4); he can be playful and more free-spirited whenever he feels safe in a loving relationship (1 moving to healthy 7). He’s focused on emulating the right and appropriate behaviors as an example to Klaus – and often gives moralizing lectures (”This is your fault; look at what you have done! All of this!”).