1. a trait they have too much of (ex. too much pride = arrogance)
Self-assurance == a superiority complex. Ernest really thinks he is better than everyone. He thinks he can trick every guest, bust every noble mission, woo every person, and come out on top. One of the reasons he is the most personable and casual of the brothers is because he thinks he is faster, strong, smarter, better than everyone else, and he’ll never be caught. People can’t figure out his act, and so he feels comfortable, and the act becomes natural, and more deceitful.
The reason why Kit can tell the difference between the brothers is because Ernest became sloppy, and too full of pride, and began taunting her and one day she figured it out. And that infuriates him.
7. something they do that hurts himself
Ernest likes to s m o k e .
9. a reason (or excuse) they haven’t improved on any of the above
Despite question 1., Ernest also suffers from middle child syndrome where he needs to act out to prove his individual worth compared to his identical brothers. He needs to be right, and he can be too stubborn or smug to ever admit defeat. Failure goes against this whole image of superiority he’s made for himself, and shines lights on all the cracks in his persona.