That is my opinion exactly! I can mind a joke or two about him being mute but it starts going over the line when people seriously correct others that "Link can't talk" or "that is funny because he IS mute".
I always saw Link as someone who easily made friends but never really let anyone close or felt truly understood and so "inside" he is a loner. As you said, a little bit of both.
I, too, imagine him to make his choices for himself and being very clear on that point that no one can choose for him. Submissive is probably the last thing I would associate him with
It brings some bitterness to being the chosen hero. Even if that life brings a lot of pain loneliness, if it came down to him having to decide between that and abandoning Hyrule his personality would make him choose to fight.