The mentor to two generations of Skywalkers may technically be a supporting character, but he has an interesting story in his own right. Some people say that side characters are more interesting than protagonists because not as much is known about them - more is left to the audience's imaginations. It would seem that Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the side characters that comes to mind when this idea is brought up.
Obi-Wan begins his story not as a leader, but as a follower, as we all do. Although he doesn't play as big a role in The Phantom Menace as he does in the later movies, it is still fascinating to see him as an unsure student. It shows how we all develop. No one is really a "born" leader - rather, before we can be leaders, we must learn to be followers.
Obi-Wan's role in the next two prequels is a mixture of the mentor and the fellow adventurer. He can be both a wise character and a fun character, which gives him good balance. I actually find myself liking the younger Obi-Wan better than the older one. There's a certain energy in him that's not present later. Besides, it's awesome to see the warrior he used to be.
Which is not to say that I don't love Obi-Wan in the original trilogy as well. He's a classic "wise old mentor" character, and yet he has a sense of humor as well. His tendency to twist the truth around also sets him apart from most mentors. I love the way he defends himself after death by saying his statement was the truth "from a certain point of view." Ha ha, even though Jedi are supposed to be selfless, Obi-Wan still has a bit of an ego.
TOP TEN OBI-WAN KENOBI QUOTES
In The Phantom Menace
10. "What's this?"
9. "NO!"
8. "You were banished because you were clumsy?"
7. "Without permission from the Council if I must."
6. "Oh don't worry. This hasn't been our day for warm welcomes."
5. "The Council has given me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi."
4. "Why do I sense that we've picked up another pathetic life form?"
3. "I have a bad feeling about this."
2. "If they find us, they will crush us, grind us into tiny pieces, and blast us into oblivion."
1. "You were right about one thing, Master. The negociations were short."
In Attack of the Clones
10. "I'm expected?"
9. "You're using her as bait?"
8."I don't mind flying, but what you're doing is suicide!"
7. "Well if droids could think, there'd be none of us here, would there?"
6. "Blast! This is why I hate flying!"
5. "I hate it when he does that."
4. "You don't want to sell me death sticks. You want to go home and rethink your life."
3. "Oh, not good!"
2. "Good job."
1. "Why do I have the feeling you're going to be the death of me?"
In Revenge of the Sith
10. "Chancellor Palpatine, Sith lords are our speciality."
9. "Very well, the burden is on me not to destroy all the droids before you get there."
8. "Not to worry - we're still flying half a ship."
7. "Did I miss something?"
6. "So uncivilized."
5. "The Council is asking you."
4. "Hello there!"
3. "Spring the trap."
2."Ninth time. That business on Cato Neimodia doesn't count."
1. "You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!"
In The Original Trilogy
10. "Well of course I know him - he's me!"
9. "Then the Emperor has already won."
8. "That's your uncle talking."
7. "If his ship's as good as his boasting, we ought to do quite well."
6. "You cannot win, Darth. If you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine."
5. "Was I any different when you taught me?"
4. "So what I told you was true, from a certain point of view."
3."Luke, the Force will be with you, always."
2."You don't need to see his identification."
1. "Who's more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?"
TOP TEN REASONS TO LOVE OBI-WAN KENOBI
10. Dying doesn't stop him from being in all six movies.
9. You can't help but love someone played by both Ewan McGregor and Sir Alec Guinness.
8. His British accent - somehow it works in the SW universe.
7. His occasional sarcasm.
6.The way he sometimes stretches the truth.
5. He makes a cool ghost.
4. He must be very patient - training Anakin Skywalker can't have been an easy task.
3. He's a loyal padawan - he'll even go against the Jedi Council to honor his master's dying wish.
2. He can be both wise and funny.
1. He helped train two of the galaxy's great heroes.
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