ESFP 2w1 Characters

ESFPs are confident in taking direct action, but not always aware of the consequences of their momentary decisions. When they loop out of their emotions, they can become callous and driven to accomplish a goal—which is what Judah feels throughout the second half of this film, as he intends to make his “brother” pay for what he has done to the Hur family. Opportunistic and good at improvisation, Judah is a natural in the arena and with horses. When Ilderim intends to turn him over to the Romans, Judah quickly takes advantage of Ilderim’s injured horse, promising to save its life in exchange for his freedom. He doesn’t hesitate to train for the horse race, and Ilderim must teach him patience (“Don’t try to take the lead”). Judah’s bodily strength and awareness, as well as his ability to adapt, save him from being dragged to death and crushed under Messala’s horses. His initial kindness, in allowing a zealot child in the house, backfires, because he never thought about the dangers involved or that the child might repay his kindness with violence. Judah makes decisions with his heart. When his sister smuggles an injured zealot child into his home, Judah agrees to hide him until he’s well. His absolute refusal to turn the boy over, or place the blame on him for the attempt on Pilate’s life, is what causes his imprisonment. When the woman he loves is set to marry a man of her own station, Judah cannot stand the separation and chases after her. It doesn’t bother him that society frowns on unequal marriages (she’s a servant, he’s a wealthy man). His intense feelings of hatred for Messala drive all his actions, and he doesn’t let go of them just to please Esther. He must come to a place where he feels his hatred melt away, before he can move on. He’s able to hide his emotions, effectively, from others (“Pretend you don’t care…”). Many of his decisions are decisive, but motivated through emotion – such as when he “confesses” to trying to kill Pilate, in the hope that his family will be spared. He finds Jesus’ teachings about forgiveness and kindness implausible at first, because they don’t match the reality of Roman occupation. Ilderim convinces him to become a chariot racer, using both an emotional and logical argument (“There are no rules in the arena”; you can kill him, no one will mind, they’ll even cheer you for it). Judah fixates on a single goal, his desire to kill Messala, and stops at nothing to make it happen. He becomes convinced, without evidence, that his sister and mother have been killed. Many of his ideas about his future are negative.

Enneagram: 2w1

Social 2s focus on their place in the community and on connecting to others through what they can ‘do’ for them – this is how he barters with Ilderim for his life and his freedom, by offering to help save his horse, then drive his chariot in the races. In his previous life, he was enthusiastic and generous to his family and friends, saw Messala as his brother, and gave him unconditional love. He also harbored a zelot and cared for him, despite knowing the danger involved, and chose to save his life even after he fired an arrow at Pilate, not realizing that this emotional decision will condemn his entire household to imprisonment. He is loyal to Messala and is shocked when his brother won’t defend them against Rome. After that, he focuses only on his own survival, and on thoughts of revenge – as he moves toward 8 disintegration. He wants payback and blood for what he has been through, and it’s only after he sees the sacrifice made at the cross, and realizes his own sins, that he can approach Messala in love once more and forgive him for all he has done to the family. He embraces him as a brother, welcomes him back into the household, and they pick up where they left off, traveling among Ilderim’s caravan. His 1 wing is moralistic and short-tempered; he tells people what they should and shouldn’t do, and holds himself to a similar high standard of moral behavior (even though it would be safer to turn over the zealot to Rome, he refuses, and then admits to firing the arrow himself in the hope that he can save his mother and sister). Eventually, after a period of seeking revenge, he realizes that he has been in the wrong, and tries to make amends through forgiveness.