Character Sketch: Obi-Wan Kenobi

This GIF is so cute! I could watch it for hours!!!

     At one point in time, a little girl may have dreamed of a knight in shining armor. I know I did, but my knight had a shiny lightsaber instead of armor. Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most beloved characters in the entire Star Wars franchise. Gifted with great integrity, compassion, wisdom and above all, courage, Obi-Wan is the friend, mentor, soldier (and love interest) that creates the stuff of true heroes. While there is nothing really extraordinary about Obi-Wan Kenobi, his legend lies in the fact that he was truly a good and honorable person. His whole life was dedicated to the bettering of the galaxy, the continual learning of the Jedi Way and the never ending will to end corruption and injustice.

     Due to the way the movies were written, Obi-Wan's storyline works backwards; first meeting him as an old hermit in Tatooine who lives under the name Ben Kenobi. He meets and trains Luke Skywalker in the Jedi Way before he is murdered by his former padawan, Anakin Skywalker or Darth Vader. Afterwards, Ben Kenobi returns to Luke as a Jedi ghost who continues to mentor and train him. Even for what small time Ben had in the story, he was fundamental in the guidance of Luke Skywalker and preparing him for the trials he was to face as a Jedi and a man.

      Several years later, we go back in time and are introduced again to Obi-Wan Kenobi, but this time as a young padawan who is under the guidance of Qui-Gon Jinn. Obi-Wan is a gifted and obedient padawan, but at times can be rash and outspoken. However, Qui-Gon Jinn sees great potential in his student and believes that Obi-Wan will be an even greater Jedi than himself. After his master's death, Obi-Wan is tasked with the training of young Anakin Skywalker, a task that will change his life forever and test him in every way imaginable.

Obi-Wan Kenobi throughout the years.

     We seem to live in a culture where evil is glorified. It's fun to be bad and the villains are just misunderstood people with tragic lives. And yet, Obi-Wan Kenobi is still loved and revered as one of the greatest fictional heroes in movie history. Other characters such as Captain America and Superman are tossed by the wayside because their morals are boring. However, one is an alien and the other a super-soldier, therefore, as characters, they are unrealistic and their high moral standards are unattainable. Obi-Wan Kenobi is neither an alien or a super-solider. He is completely human and his human nature to embrace goodness and do good is what has made him as iconic legend. Which is also why I consider him my favorite hero.

      Obi-Wan was not a prophesied Messiah, he did not conquer great kingdoms, he didn't have a tragic love story (that we know of), he didn't play on the fence between the dark side and the light side. He was genuinely good his whole life long. He was fearless and bold to do what was right. He cared deeply for other people and was gifted with incredible compassion. He lived by the rules and was obedient to the authority he was under.  He could admit that he was afraid and then go out and face what he feared. Obi-Wan Kenobi never compromised no matter the situation and truly lived the life he believed in until his dying day.