Buckbeak Has an ESFJ Personality
We’ve so far discovered Dobby, Pickett, Hedwig, and Dougal’s Myers-Briggs personality types, so next up is Buckbeak the hippogriff. Due to Buckbeak’s attachment to humans like Hagrid and Harry as well as his natural protective instincts, Buckbeak definitely has the ESFJ personality type. This personality type is also called the “Consul.” ESFJ personalities are social, sensitive, and passionate. While Buckbeak is very headstrong, he still values love and appreciation from his human companions.
This personality type is focused on their leadership roles, which they base on traditional values. This characteristic fits perfectly within a hippogriff society; they are magical creatures that bow to humans when respected. Buckbeak especially seems to care about hippogriff rules. We see this when, after Draco doesn’t listen to the rules on how to respectfully approach a hippogriff, Buckbeak attacks him. Once you show them the proper respect, hippogriffs are really kind creatures. ESFJ personalities are also loyal and enjoy spending time with the people who care about them. This fits with Buckbeak’s personality too. Buckbeak has no problem with Harry riding on him just as long as Harry is kind to him. I can’t help but think Buckbeak realized that Harry enjoys flying just as much as a hippogriff does.
Speaking of Buckbeak’s friendship with Harry, those with the ESFJ personality type get along best with those who share their same ideals. Harry and Buckbeak are both adventurous, caring, and protective of their friends. Buckbeak showed this best when he defended Harry and Hermione from the werewolf form of Professor Lupin. To be honest, Buckbeak probably loves Hagrid because he feeds him snacks all the time, but Buckbeak is still loyal to Hagrid no matter what. Even when Harry and Hermione tried to lure Buckbeak away from Hagrid’s hut, Buckbeak hesitated to leave Hagrid at all.
Also, ESFJ personalities are great listeners. Even though Buckbeak doesn’t talk, he always seems to be listening to his friends. He knows when Draco is making fun of him, and Buckbeak doesn’t hesitate to fight back. Whenever Harry talks quietly to Buckbeak and mentions Hagrid’s name, Buckbeak seems to instantly perk up. We don’t know the extent of Hagrid’s training with Buckbeak – for all we know, he trained him to understand English too. ESFJ personalities naturally resist conflict in any form. Buckbeak is never aggressive unless he has to be, and when everyone is getting along, he is happy to clean his feathers in peace.
There are some weaknesses to this personality type. ESFJ personalities struggle to get along with anyone who is different from them. Buckbeak is so fixated on hippogriff traditions that he almost doesn’t let Harry befriend him. Harry is terrified that Buckbeak will attack him, but Buckbeak does open up to him after their initial meeting. Needless to say, like other ESFJ personalities, Buckbeak doesn’t accept criticism well. Additionally, this personality type isn’t accepting of new ideas. Buckbeak’s reluctance to leave Hagrid’s hut almost got Harry and Hermione in a lot of trouble. Luckily, by Harry being respectful and bowing to Buckbeak, he helped convince the hippogriff to trust them.
Buckbeak is a relatively quiet creature, but his actions speak volumes. ESFJ personalities put as much effort into a friendship as they will get back in return. Once a human shows Buckbeak the proper respect, Buckbeak will show them the same. I think it’s fair to say that Buckbeak saving Harry and Hermione from a deadly werewolf attack after just being given snacks is a sure sign of loyalty. To us readers, it may have seemed surprising that Buckbeak would leap to aid our heroes, but Buckbeak takes his friendships seriously. Even though hippogriffs are “easily offended” according to Hagrid, Buckbeak proves that hippogriffs are fiercely protective too. Who knows, Buckbeak might have jumped at the werewolf because he considered the attack to be impolite.
Buckbeak is one of the most memorable magical creatures in the Harry Potter series due to the hippogriff’s intelligent nature, fearless bravery, and unique loyalty to his friends. It’s these admirable qualities that make Buckbeak an ESFJ personality, someone who never hesitates to save his friends. No hippogriff will ever quite compare.
What other magical creatures have Myers-Briggs personality types? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section below.
