MBTI Type: INFP

INFPs as authors are intensely emotional and infuse their work with their emotions; many of them self-insert and when they write poetry, it’s deep and from the wellspring of their feelings, a way to express themselves in poetic terms and avoid speaking directly to the source of their obsession. This is Will in a nutshell. If he is not inspired, he cannot write; if he is not in love, he is despondent. But when he does fall for someone (which happens often and instantly), his mind fills with poetry and he writes sonnets (rather than his play). His play also changes according to his whims—if he feels sad, the comedy turns into a disaster. If he cannot be with Viola, Romeo and Juliet cannot be together. He pursues love with his entire being, but cares not to discuss it with others; he forms a strong silent bond with Viola, and shifts her into the existence and core of his being. His poems and play is laced with those intense emotions, manifested in spirited dialogue and tragic circumstances. Will is a man constantly on the move in search of new inspiration; he is halfway through directing his play before writing the end of it, literally at the last moment, making it up as he goes along. He will be writing a play, stop to write a sonnet, then take it to his lady love, and thus has a dozen things going on all at the same time, all according to his whims. His characters change names, professions, and fates according to his whims since he makes it up as he goes along (and he confesses he doesn’t know the end of the story yet). Will easily draws from life, and uses his writing both to show the goods and evils of the world, often by transforming things into a more idealized or perfected self. He believes in living in the moment, in taking chances, in making the most of every opportunity, and risks a good deal on a bet and that they won’t all land in prison for having a female player upon the stage. Will does not mind creating his stories with others’ input (Kit gives him major plot points and characters’ names, and Viola at the end presents him with the outline for his next play). Everything Will writes is drawn from an experience he has had, or something he has seen; he stores these things away for future reference and creates them anew. Sentimentally, he intends to put Viola at the center of all his future roles, vowing never to forget her as his true and perfect second self. Organizing a company of players is a task he takes to with ease; he can be blunt and directive under pressure. Will acts on his feelings, seizing chances as they come to him, pursuing Viola, recognizing the potential consequences of his actions, and taking them on regardless. He knows when it is time to let go, although he intends to keep her forever in his heart.

Enneagram: 4w3 sx/so

4w3s are fraught with an intense desire for romance, closeness, and connection, but the fate of nothing ever being good or perfect enough. Knowing he cannot have Viola for the long term makes him want her even more, since it’s a way to stay frustrated. And frustration is a common theme in his life—he never has enough ideas, money, inspiration, love, his marriage is dreadful and the woman he thinks he loves is involved with several other men. He also cannot create if he’s not feeling in the mood, a trait typical to 4s, who over-focus on a narrow set of emotions (whatever is most appealing to them) and block out all alternatives. He sees himself as unique and special among his peers, and is instantly jealous of others’ successes (resentful of Kit Marlow being better known and more successful). He detests his competition most of the time, poring his declarations of love into romantic poetry. He’s assertive and competitive, as his sub-type demands; he can become needy and greed to appeal to Viola as he moves toward 2. As an sx/so, he goes from relationship to relationship seeking inspiration, tortured and always seeking external praise. He feels attracted to Viola for sx reasons, but also because of how she swoons over his poetry and thinks it’s wonderful; she flatters his ego and his need to feel special and exceptional.

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