Entertainment | Film & Cinema
Obi-Wan Kenobi
One of the most transcendental characters of Star Wars is Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi whose importance is so great that he appears in all six films in George Lucas's series.
- By Orus Villacorta, Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:00 April 28, 2007
- Obi-Wan Kenobi was identified as a natural manipulator of the Force.
- Image Credit: Illustration: Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News
One of the most transcendental characters of Star Wars is Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi whose importance is so great that he appears in all six films in George Lucas's series.
Click here to download Obi-Wan artwork (pdf)
Obi-Wan's native planet is unknown, but it is known that, since his childhood, Kenobi was identified as a natural manipulator of the Force. It was for this reason that he was transferred to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant where he soon became one of the padawan apprentices with a shining future ahead of him.
When he reached the age of 13, the Jedi Council put Obi-Wan under the mentorship of Qui-Gon Jinn, a tutor who shared many of Kenobi's characteristics. Obi-Wan was sometimes arrogant and impatient, but the knowledge of the force turned him little by little into a prudent, wise, agile and cautious Jedi.
His progression from padawan to Jedi came in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, after Qui-Gon discovers Anakin Skywalker on Tatooine. Qui-Gon suggests to the Jedi Council that Anakin be taken on as an apprentice, and at the same time indicates that Obi-Wan is ready for his initiation as a Jedi Knight.
The council was unsure of Obi-Wan's readiness and postponed the decision. It would fall to the Sith apprentice Darth Maul to change Obi-Wan's destiny. Obi-Wan avenged the murder of his mentor, Qui-Gon, by killing Maul, and thus become the first Jedi to fell a Sith in a thousand years. The Jedi Council no longer had any doubts about Obi-Wan's abilities, and promoted him to Jedi Knight.
However, the care of Anakin Skywalker would also fall to Obi-Wan. As he lay dying, Qui-Gon asked the young Jedi to ensure Anakin's future as a Jedi. Qui-Gonn believed fervently that Anakin was "the One".
The Obi-Wan/Anakin team were involved in many adventures while defending the Republic as Jedi and padawan. While Obi-Wan became more prudent, Anakin was impetuous and vain. Despite these differences, they had a great friendship. This friendship would suffer a tragic end as Obi-Wan is forced to fight his apprentice after he turns to the Dark side, taking on the name of Darth Vader. It is Obi-Wan that is responsible for Vader's horrific injuries — during the fight, his remaining arm and both legs are amputated, and he suffers near-fatal burns.
After the fight, Obi-Wan returns to discover that Padmé Amidala is pregnant with twins. After she dies in childbirth, he takes the baby boy, Luke, to Tatooine, and becomes a hermit known as Ben Kenobi.
Homeworld: Unknown
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Height: 1.79 metres
Weapon: Lightsabre
Vehicle: Jedi Starfighter
Affiliation: Jedi
Associations: Jedi Order, Republic
Share this article
Related Articles
-
30 years of Star Wars: Ewoks
30 years of Star Wars: Ewoks
-
30 years of Star Wars: C-3PO
Just how many languages could C-3PO speak and understand?
-
30 years of Star Wars: Han Solo
Collect a series of exclusive posters only with tabloid! Today it's Han Solo
-
30 years of Star Wars: R2D2
Astromech droid R2D2 is always in trouble and a magnet for problems
-
30 years of Star Wars: Lando Calrissian
Celebrate 30 years of Star Wars with a series of posters free with tabloid!
-
30 years of Star Wars: Luke Skywalker
The last hope of winning the fight against the empire rested on Luke Skywalker
-
30 years of Star Wars: Leia Organa
Leia is the leader of the Rebel Alliance that fought against the Galactic Empire
More from Film & Cinema
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle daily
Popular in Film & Cinema
Entertainment Editor's choice
-
Katrina and Ranbir share dating secrets
Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor share their dating secrets
-
Brazilian supermodel Gisele can fly!
Brazilian supermodel completes first part of her helicopter flying exams
-
Adam Lambert's glam jam
Adam Lambert brings androgyny back on the title track from his album, For Your Entertainment
-
Arts & Entertainment
Bollywood Celebwatch
What have Bollywood's brightest been up to?
