History Main / TheStoic

The silent warrior has roots stretching back to TheDrifter in Westerns and farther back. [[TropeMaker The]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoics]] in [[OlderThanFeudalism ancient Greece]] were philosophers who believed that self-control is the highest virtue, and detachment from strong emotions and passion would give them greater insight in their quest for truth. They also thought that emotional reactions to the inevitable were silly; given that WeAllDieSomeday, what is grieving over death but a judgment that the inevitable was somehow ''wrong''? Stoics would later be criticized for denying themselves [[StopHavingFunGuys and others]] any kind of earthly pleasure or silliness in life.

'''Note: Just because the person is Stoic doesn't mean that person is a {{jerkass}} or [[TheCynic cynical]].'''

[[folder:Film -- Animated]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/BarbieMariposa'', the fairy in the Cave of Reflection is stoic and to the point.
* Tía Victoria from ''WesternAnimation/{{Coco}}'', probably as a reflection of her strict nature.
* King Malbert from ''WesternAnimation/{{Igor}}''.
* The Warden from ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}''.
* The "I'll make a man out of you" TrainingMontage from ''WesternAnimation/{{Mulan}}'' glorifies stoical attitudes in several places.
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* The Warden from ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}''.

* Vinkle in ''WebAnimation/NoEvil'' rarely talks or emotes beyond a faint smile or a bit of gentle snark; some of the most intense emotion he shows in the series is a FlatWhat. In one outtake, his voice actor concludes that Vinkle's reaction to finding [[CloudCuckoolander Huey]] in his kitchen cabinet out of nowhere would be "[[UnusuallyUninterestingSight Hand me the trail sauce.]]"

He can be in the middle of a gunfight, his best friend's bachelor party, or a helpless witness to the death of everyone and everything he holds dear... and he'll show all the emotional reaction of a victim of a Botox overdose. They can be {{Heroes}}, antagonists or [[AntiHero anti-heroes]]. On TheTeam he will contrast the HotBlooded. His quiet demeanor tends towards the brusque or outright rudeness, though there are a few [[NiceGuy polite]] Stoics. Some stoics may try to give the impression of a lot going on inside, cultivate an air of mystery and confuse other characters with cryptic one-liners.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism Stoicism]], without the deterministic mythology associated with its original forms, is effective both at preventing and treating some forms of depression and anxiety. By teaching the patient that they can always be in control of their own mental state, the patient can use stoic discipline to become resistant to emotional disturbances.
** One ancient Greek Stoic, it was told, greeted the news of his only son's death with the comment, "I was aware I had begotten a mortal."
** The stoics of ancient Greece both were and weren't this trope. They didn't dislike being emotional, it's just that they saw excess emotion as negative because it can control a person's life. They believed using logic and reason to determine their life led to greater happiness.
** Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. His writings, collected into a book called "Meditations" are considered the best introductory book into the Stoic philosophy. [[note]] Part of the reason for this is that no writings from the Greek stoics survived from antiquity. Only the Roman stoics managed to pass on their writing. [[/note]]
* In typology tests such as the UsefulNotes/MyersBriggs, personalities with [=IxTx=]-dominant functions (that is, '''I'''ntroverted '''T'''hinkers) are often stereotyped under this trope.
** ISFP's can also fit here due to being characterized as gentle and feeling the situation internally.
** In the typology test, Socionics, this is a defining trait of ILI and SLI types (also written as [=INTp=] and [=ISTp=]) who go to great pains to restrain any emotions that might be expressed and can be easily told from their consistent, stoic lack of facial expression.
* On the Five-Factor Model of personality (which does not assign a definite type, but scores on a continuous scale on each of the personality dimensions[[note]]Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience[[/note]]), those who rank low in both [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits#Extraversion Extraversion]][[note]]It's properly spelled as Extr''a''version, and its scientific definition can basically be distilled to one's tendency to have positive affect (e.g. be happy or excited) and to seek external stimuli like excitement and large social events; see the GenkiGirl archetype[[/note]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits#Neuroticism Neuroticism]][[note]]one's tendency to experience "negative" emotions like anxiety and anger[[/note]] fit this trope.
* [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduced_affect_display Blunted Affect, restricted affect and flat affect]] are conditions characterized by a significant reduction in emotional reactiveness and display, and is found as a symptom of many mental illnesses as well as neurological disorders such as brain damage. It covers a lack of emotional expression stemming from both a [[BeneathTheMask repression of emotion]] and a [[EmotionlessGirl true lack of emotion]] (apathy), since internal psychological processes are difficult to infer. Flat affect takes this UpToEleven in being the total absence of any emotional reactions.
** Blunted affect is a common symptom of depression. When one is required to suppress their emotions just to get on with day to day living, it's hardly surprising that a blank expression becomes second nature. Depression doesn't always involve feelings of sadness either, and those afflicted by this expression of depression can appear to others, and feel themselves to be, emotionless.
** Of the personality disorders[[note]]a persistent mental disorder of "non-organic" origin (because brain damage and neurodegenerative disorders [[TheMindIsAPlaythingOfTheBody can also cause personality changes]]) that affects the entire character, from altered emotional functioning at the basic level (e.g. MoodSwinger in borderline personality disorder, or LackOfEmpathy in antisocial personality disorder) to a warping of their perceptions and world view, generally resulting in persistent personal and social problems.[[/note]], schizoid personality disorder is characterized by detachment, lack of interest in social relationships and a tendency for isolation, emotional coldness and apathy, and a restricted range of emotional expression. Sound familiar? [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirming_the_consequent Yes, it does.]]
** Its one of what are called the negative symptoms of schizophrenia[[note]]schizophrenia has its symptoms divided into three types, the so-called "positive" symptoms are the hallucinations and delusions, the "negative" symptoms are apathy, flat affect and lack of social skills and interaction, and the cognitive symptoms which relate to cognitive problems such as concentration and memory problems.[[/note]].
* Admiral Raymond Spruance, USN. He didn't really need bombs, shells, and torpedoes; he could probably look at Japanese ships on a map and a shower of ice pouring from his cold heart would fall on them and sink them. This applied only to his military affairs, however. He was quite fond of his family, dog, garden and greenhouse, the latter of which he often showed to visitors.
* Feodor Emelianenko, the top heavyweight MMA fighter in the world. He has stated that he deliberately clears his mind of emotion before and during a fight. The most expression seen on his face in a fight is quiet determination.
** Russians in general only emote when they are surrounded by friends and/or family. In all other situations they keep a DullSurprise expression.
* The San Antonio Spurs of the NBA are this trope personified. LongRunner Coach Gregg Popovich, unlike many of his contemporaries who were star athletes before taking on coaching jobs, is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and served a completed tour of duty before transitioning into Basketball. Popovich virtually built the franchise with his military, no-nonsense values, with five titles and nineteen consecutive playoffs appearances giving credit to his "no self-importance, no egos, no showboating, no trash-talk" policy.
** Tim Duncan is well-known for this, rarely showing either excitement or frustration (and has occasionally been referred to as "Spock"). He has said it gives him a psychological advantage because opponents don't know how he's feeling which makes it hard for anyone to affect him with trash-talking or anything of the sort. In fact, the only instance he was ejected from court for "unsportmanlike behavior" is for ''laughing while at the bench.''
** Kawhi Leonard easily fits this trope too. Pictures of him laughing or smiling are often accused by fans of being ''photoshopped.''
%%* [[http://garbagetimeallstars.blogspot.com/2009/04/many-faces-of-derrick-rose.html Derrick Rose.]]
%%* Creator/StevenSeagal. [[http://minorityblog.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/steven_seagal_expressions.jpg Here's a chart.]]
%%* [[http://rumorator.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Amber_lamps.jpg Amber Lamps.]]
* Chilean President Manuel Montt was described by his own followers as "being all cool head, but no heart".
* During the [[UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict Yom Kippur War]] "Dado" Elazar specifically ordered that no casualties' names be reported to headquarters unless it was of military importance that they be known. This was because several of the officers present had their own sons in the fighting. In this case it was almost literal Stoicism: it was the sort of order a Roman commander might have given.
%%* New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
%%* Sports announcer Joe Buck. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27XeNefwABw "It is... caught by Tyree."]]
* Training one's self to be "deliberately stoic" in order to shunt away emotional reactions can be an effective, non-pharmaceutical defense against anxiety, panic, and phobic disorders. In essence, shoving one's emotional reactions aside (be it gently or forcefully) allows the more calmly rational mind to take over control of the reactions until the episode passes, and can also lessen the chances of the amygdala "hijacking" the brain and causing an explosive activation of the "fight or flight" response.
* Kimi Raikkonen, a UsefulNotes/FormulaOne driver, is infamously called "Iceman" because of his NervesOfSteel and his straight "I don't care" face which is deployed even when he gets [[BerserkButton really angry]] or [[CloudcuckooLander really clueless.]]
* The native people in Finland are this due to living in a cold region.
* {{Geisha}} are taught to be this out of politeness. Traditions in Japan are very precise and it takes a strong personality to complete them all. They can finally emote when not on the job but keeping a calm and elegant demeanor is a must for these women.
* Newscasters. Always delivering bad news with a straight face. Except when they [[NotSoStoic finally]] [[{{Corpsing}} crack]].
* Oddly enough quite a few species of animals deserve a spot in this trope. Among the most worthy are cats, lizards, sloths, snakes, spiders, sharks, most bird and bat species. Of course, a lot of that stems from them being physically incapable of expressing anything like humans do, but they can in other ways at times.
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* ''VisualNovel/GrisaiaNoKajitsu'': Most of the girls take note of Yuuji's normally-taciturn demeanor, to the point that Michiru tries to nickname him "Mr. Standoffish Man." In fact, he's so deeply rooted in this behavior that, when he does finally laugh at something, he bursts into a coughing fit due to being so unused to it.

* ''VisualNovel/JakeHunter'', who is so dead-serious that his signature frown barely even moves, even when showing compassion to his clients or innocent civilians. On the flipside, his perpetual calmness helps to solve every case.

'''Note: Just because the person is Stoic doesn't mean that person is a {{jerkass}} or [[TheCynic pessimistic]].'''

* The "I'll make a man out of you" TrainingMontage from ''Disney/{{Mulan}}'' glorifies stoical attitudes in several places.

The Stoic [[NotSoStoic sometimes displays emotion]] when under extreme stress or in other highly emotional situations, but their usual repertoire consists of mild boredom, detached interest, DullSurprise or dignified disdain. He may be a DeadpanSnarker, or have NoSenseOfHumor. If he ever shows true emotion, it's likely to be explosive in its intensity or incredibly subtle and full of EmotionalTorque. The tougher sort of stoic may hide it so thoroughly that only his BadDreams show any of it. Opposed to FrozenFace, where the emotions appear absent because they do not alter his expression, even in highly emotional situations. A few stoics might calmly pipe up that [[DidYouThinkICantFeel they have feelings and opinions too]], they just aren't effusive about it.

Contrast RageBreakingPoint, DramaQueen. If someone attempts to be stoic but fails and breaks up into laughter, that's called {{Corpsing}} [[note]]so named because the worst time to lose your composure if you're an actor is when you're [[TheLivingDead playing a corpse]][[/note]].

* ShellShockedVeteran (sometimes)

'''Characters of this type include''':

* RedOniBlueOni (Specifically the Blue Oni)

* ShellShockedVeteran

'''Other tropes associated with stoics include''':

* NotSoStoic (SubTrope)

'''Note: Just because the person is Stoic doesn't mean that person is a {{Jerkass}} or pessimistic.'''

Contrast/Compare with LoveableRogue, BecomeARealBoy, TheMcCoy and GentleGiant. On the far end of EmotionsVsStoicism. If a person ''deliberately'' inflicts pain on himself to show it doesn't bother him, that's MachoMasochism.

Contrast RageBreakingPoint, DramaQueen. If someone attempts to be stoic but fails and breaks up into laughter, that's called {{Corpsing}} [[note]]so named because the worst time to lose your composure if you're an actor is when you're [[TheLivingDead playing a corpse]][[/note]].

** Kyouko Kirigiri of ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'' is a stone-faced in the presence of crime scenes and corpses, rarely smiling. One of the few instances where she manages to get shaken up are quite serious.
** Peko Pekoyama of ''VisualNovel/SuperDanganRonpa2'' follows in Kirigiri's footsteps. Unlike her, however, Peko is much easier to snap out of her stoicism; she has a wide range of expressions when actually, well, expressing herself.
** ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3'' has Ryoma Hoshi, whose more extreme emotions only consist of mild shock or tranquil fury. It’s implied that this is because of [[spoiler: his depression]].

* {{Kuudere}}

'''Characters of this type include:'''

'''Other tropes associated with stoics include:'''

---> '''Kelsey:''' Okay, first you lash out when we were playing yesterday. Then, you turned all emo. And, now you hair's purple!\\
'''Brenna:''' ''[in a monotonous voice]'' It's purple? ''[looks at her hair]'' Huh. Guess it is.

* Newscasters. Always delivering bad news with a straight face. Except when they [[NotSoStoic finally]] [[{{Corpsing}} crack.]]