Obi-Wan Kenobi: Biography from Answers.com Mobile

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Character Bio

Though he started out a somewhat unwanted Padawan learner of Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi would eventually become one of the most venerable Jedi Knights in the galaxy. A master of the Force and determined to do what is right, he represents the Jedi Order well, despite his headstrong nature. Throughout much of his life, Obi-Wan blamed himself for allowing the Padawan learner he would adopt, Anakin Skywalker, to turn to the dark side. In his later years, the wizened Jedi helped redeem his past failure by taking in Anakin's son Luke and showing him the ways of the Force.

Obi-Wan spent his younger years in training under Yoda and other Jedi Masters at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. However, he was not accepted as a Padawan learner (an essential step to becoming a Jedi Knight) until the age of 13 by a reluctant Qui-Gon Jinn. Still feeling the mental effects of having a former Padawan turn on him and despite Yoda's urgings, it took Obi-Wan's assistance in defeating the ex-student known as Xanatos for the Jedi Master to finally accept him.

For the next 12 years, the two embarked upon many adventures and eventually found themselves responsible for negotiating a dispute between the Trade Federation and the planet Naboo. As depicted in both movie and game versions of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace, what seemed like a simple assignment at first would take them all over the galaxy as they attempted to escort Queen Amidala safely to plead her case in front of the Galactic Senate. Along the way, they picked up a Gungan known as Jar Jar Binks and a young boy who would affect Obi-Wan's life in more ways than he could have foreseen, Anakin Skywalker.

Once on Coruscant, not only did Amidala present her case, but Anakin was also tested before the Jedi Council. The Council acknowledged the boy's great potential with the Force, but saw his future as clouded and did not permit him to be trained. Defiantly, Qui-Gon announced that Obi-Wan was ready to become a Jedi Knight and that he would take in Anakin as a new Padawan learner.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon's adventure continued as they and the others headed back to Naboo for a final confrontation with the Trade Federation. There, the two Jedi confronted Darth Maul, a Dark Lord of the Sith. Though they both fought heroically, Qui-Gon was dealt a fatal wound during the battle. However, Obi-Wan managed to kill Maul at a point at which it seemed all hope had been lost. He then rushed to his dying master, whose last words requested that he train Anakin in his stead. Obi-Wan promised to do so in what proved later to be a regrettable decision.

Though the exact events involving Obi-Wan's training of Anakin will not be disclosed until the second and third episodes of the prequel Star Wars trilogy, it is known that his student turned to the dark side after being tempted by Emperor Palpatine. The two are rumored to have engaged in a lightsaber battle atop a volcano, in which Obi-Wan threw Anakin into a sea of magma. The former Padawan would barely survive, but not without the help of a special suit that would turn him into a mostly mechanical being -- a Dark Lord of the Sith known as Darth Vader.

Part of Vader's responsibilities was the annihilation of all Jedi, which he executed almost without fault. The few Jedi not killed were forced into hiding. Among these were Obi-Wan, who retreated to Tatooine, and Yoda, who sought refuge on Dagobah. On the desert planet, Obi-Wan changed his first name to Ben and lived the life of a hermit. All the while, however, he kept his eye on a local farmboy named Luke Skywalker. The son of Anakin, Luke and his sister Leia Organa (who grew up on Alderaan) were separated from their mother upon birth and grew up with no knowledge of the other's existence. Obi-Wan was behind the plan, hoping to keep them out of the hands of the Empire. He succeeded, as Vader was never aware of their births to begin with.

Obi-Wan would play a key role in Luke's life once the boy uncovered a message addressed to the Jedi from, of all the people in the galaxy, 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 naïve young man. He urged Luke to join him on a trip to Alderaan, the boy only agreeing to do so after finding his home destroyed by Imperial Stormtroopers.

From there, the two met Han Solo and Chewbacca, two space pirates who escorted 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 player 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 climactic 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." The two engaged in another lightsaber battle, as Obi-Wan's comrades, now accompanied by Leia, escaped to the Millennium Falcon. His intent all along was to provide a distraction so that the others may escape. In the process, he willingly sacrificed his life to Vader's lightsaber blade. But only his body had been destroyed.

Obi-Wan's spirit remained with Luke throughout the coming years and had a drastic effect on the boy. It was this spirit that told Luke to trust his feelings when delivering the final blow to the Death Star and, later, to seek the assistance of Yoda in his Jedi training. He also urged Luke not to fall into Vader's trap on Cloud City. When the time was right, he explained to Luke why he didn't tell the young boy that Vader was his father, at the same time disclosing his relationship with Leia.

As explained in Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire, Obi-Wan's spirit bid Luke a final farewell after the New Republic had been established, for the distance between them was growing too far. He explained to Luke that the young man was not the last of the Jedi, but merely the "first of the new."

FAMILY: It is possible that Obi-Wan is the brother of Owen Lars, the guardian of Luke Skywalker.

EDUCATION: Taught in the ways of the Jedi by Qui-Gon Jinn and Yoda.

AMBITIONS: Fulfilling his Jedi responsibilities successfully. Later, playing his part in ending the rule of the Galactic Empire.

QUOTES: "I'll take care of that." (stated calmly as he proceeds to single-handedly destroy a group of Battle Droids)

"Do not defy the Council, Master. Not again." (to Qui-Gon Jinn after his decision to train Anakin Skywalker)

"The boy is dangerous. They all sense it. Why can't you?" (to Qui-Gon on the Council's feelings toward Anakin Skywalker)

"Qui-Gon believed in him. I believe in Qui-Gon.... I will train Anakin. Without the approval of the Council if I must." (to Yoda)

"You will be a Jedi. I promise." (to Anakin)

"If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine." (to Darth Vader during their final lightsaber duel)

"Who's the more foolish? The fool or the fool who follows him?"

OTHER MEDIA: Aside from movies and games, Obi-Wan Kenobi has appeared in numerous Star Wars-related comic books, novels and radio dramas. His likeness adorns almost any merchandising gimmick imaginable, and several action figures represent him.

SOURCES:

Star Wars: Behind the Magic

Star Wars: Episode I -- Insider's Guide

Star Wars, (c) 1977 Twentieth Century Fox

Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace, (c) 1999 Twentieth Century Fox

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a trademark and copyright of Lucasfilm Ltd. (c) 1999

~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide

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