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Baldwin de Clermont and Narcissism

Is Baldwin a Narcissist?

Let’s go through some criteria:

Have an exaggerated sense of self-importance

Certainly has a sense of self-importance but I guess the judgement is whether or not it’s exaggerated. He’s head of a powerful vampire family, influences the global stock market and is leader of the Congregation.

Have a sense of entitlement and require constant, excessive admiration

Is definitely entitled, don’t know about the admiration part. Pretty sure he answered Machiavelli’s rhetoric with “feared, definitely better to be feared than loved, next question!”

Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it

Weird family/vampire dynamics makes this tricky. He does expect to be recognised as superior but again, he is the head of his family.

Exaggerate achievements and talents

He has talents and doesn’t seem to exaggerate one’s he doesn’t have.

Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate

Doesn’t really have time for fantasies, seems to spend most of his energy putting out fires. Has success, power, saves his charm for women he happens to be seducing, hasn’t found his mate yet but doubt it would be because of something superficial like status.

Believe they are superior and can only associate with equally special people

Bans non-de Clermont’s from family dinner, carelessly exposes Nathaniel, Sophie and baby Margaret to Knox despite being in Agatha’s debt.

Monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on people they perceive as inferior

That whole dinner was just him lording it over the captive family. It was literally a hostage situation and it gave me second hand anxiety.

Expect special favors and unquestioning compliance with their expectations

Didn’t EXPECT favours from Domenico and Agatha, was grateful for keeping his head. Unquestioning compliance goes with the territory of being the family/congregation head.

Take advantage of others to get what they want

Not sure what he got from selling out baby Margaret. Beyond giving Peter enough rope with which to hang himself that is, he knew Gerbert and Knox were working together.

Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others

I think he can recognise needs and feelings of others, he just weighs them up against his own criteria of importance.

Be envious of others and believe others envy them

Only person he seems to envy is Matthew and only because of Matthew’s relationship with Philippe.

Behave in an arrogant or haughty manner, coming across as conceited, boastful and pretentious

Um… yeah!!!!

Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office

Dude has helicopters, next question!!!

VERDICT-

On balance I’d say no, mainly because the criteria used cannot fairly reflect the situation in which the character exists. He is self-important, controlling, demands fealty and obedience. That’s all true, but it’s how he’s expected to act in his position.

Thoughts???

*This is an exercise in character analysis, I am not a therapist, trained or otherwise, no-one should try to diagnose-from-a-distance IRL.