Narratives and Archetypes; Mythologies and Science Fiction

"May the Fourth Be With You!"          04/05/2010

Obi-Wan Kenobi first appears in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), played by Alec Guinness.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi-Wan_Kenobi)

Luke Skywalker, the film's main protagonist, first believes that Kenobi is a mysterious hermit known as Old Ben Kenobi. Soon, Kenobi reveals himself to be an exiled Jedi Knight. He reveals that he knew Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker, and served with him in the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan plays a key role in Luke's life once the boy uncovers a message addressed to the Jedi from princess Leia.

It was at this time that Obi-Wan presented Luke with his father's lightsaber and introduced the concept of the Force to the young man. "The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. Its an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us. It penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.” He urged Luke to join him on a trip to Alderaan, Luke only agreeing to do so after finding his home destroyed by Imperial Stormtroopers. He gives Luke Anakin's lightsaber, and tells him that "a young Jedi named Darth Vader... betrayed and murdered your father."

From there, the two met Han Solo and Chewbacca, two space pirates who escort them to Alderaan, or at least what was left of it after being destroyed by the Death Star. The group soon was pulled into the mammoth battle station and depended on Obi-Wan to play a major role in their eventual escape.

The Jedi took it upon himself to disable the tractor beam and did so successfully. However, he soon confronted his former student for the first time since their presumed lightsaber battle, a battle Vader was more than willing to resume. "I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan," said the Dark Jedi. "The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master." To Which Obi-Wan replies, "If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine." The two engage in another lightsaber battle.

Obi-Wan's intent all along was to provide a distraction so that the others may escape. His body disappears, having become a spirit in the Force, while Vader's blade slices through nothing but Obi-Wan's empty robe. Obi-Wan's spirit now remains with Luke throughout the coming years and has a drastic effect on the boy. He speaks to Luke using the Force in the film's climactic battle scene, telling him to use the Force to destroy the Death Star. Luke then hears Obi-Wan's voice telling him, "The Force will be with you, always."

'Star Wars' has had immense commercial impact and has paved the way for millions of action figures, video games and other such pastimes. Star Wars also laid down new ground in filmmaking techniques that forever changed the way films were made and the scale in which they could be done. There seem to be two main things about Star Wars that have guaranteed its lasting appeal. As in every good story there are 'Rebels'. Star Wars is simply a good, old-fashioned desperate-fight-for-freedom story that is inscribed deeply into every thinking, feeling person's heart. And as in every good story there is a cause. 'The Force', You can't have rebels without a cause and something to battle and fight for.

Obi-Wan Kenobi, plays the role of mentor and guide to Luke Skywalker. "The mentor is a character who aids or trains the hero. The essence of the mentor is the wise old man or woman. The mentor's role may be to teach the hero. The other major role of the mentor is to equip the hero by giving him a gift or gifts which are important in his quest. These gifts may be weapons, medicine or food, magic, or some important clue or piece of information. Frequently, the mentor requires the hero to have passed some sort of test before receiving the gift. The gift may be a seemingly insignificant object, the importance of which doesn't emerge until later. The mentor may occasionally be the hero's conscience, returning him to the right path after he strays or strengthening him when he weakens." (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mentor)

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a character that is the friend or Cool Old Guy who is better, faster and more experienced than the protagonist(Luke). However, Obi-Wan is not the hero. I have found that this type of character will almost always die, as an individual to rally around and give the protagonists a chance for vengeance. Afterwards, they'll then become a Spirit Advisor, either as a literal "spirit" or in flashbacks. Some examples of these types of characters from other films and legends are, the legendary Mister Miyagi and the karate kid, Merlin and King Arthur, Dumbledore and Harry Potter and, Brom and Eragon. These mentors act as teachers and guides, as well as journeying along with the hero, helping them achieve what they are destined to do. This type of archetype role, is now seen in many, if not all, epic and lasting films.

I found Obi-Wan interesting because when he is first mentioned and when he first appears, we think 'Who is this mysterious character?' He is the typical wise, old man, who is the protector, teacher and guide. I also liked Obi-Wan because his character spoke of interesting life stories and experience, someone that you could learn a lot from.

Obi-Wan Kenobi is definitely part of the modern pop culture, and we will always think of him as related to Star Wars. Everybody, worldwide, knows the name Obi-Wan Kenobi, whether by watching one of the films, or by having heard it from someone. In essence, Obi-Wan Kenobi makes 'Star Wars'. He is the first person you see with a lightsaber, he is the first person you see using mind tricks, he is the first person you see who cuts off someone's hand. Obi-Wan stays true to his mentor role by taking the lead and doing everything first. He sets the path for others to follow and for what is to come.

Bibliography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obi-Wan_Kenobi
http://www.starwars.com/
http://www.starwars.com/movies/episode-iv/
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mentor
http://blogs.starwars.com/sith-archives66/60