Since its inception, the realm of science fiction has accomplished many things: it has fueled discovery by kindling the imaginations of scientists, promoted a career in scientific fields to those both young and old, outlined expectations and visions of future technologies and societies, and taught man-kind a great deal about itself. Of all the science-fiction films, tales, and novels in existence today, Star Wars is peerless; it is especially memorable because the story of its characters and their daring escapades is based on an ancient model of mythology - the "hero's journey." As the Star Wars films span two generations (and their accompanying novels and comics span many more), their focus is on two very different heroes: Anakin Skywalker, a tragic hero, and his son, Luke Skywalker, an archetypal hero. Although both of these central characters are heroes, only the path of Luke Skywalker follows the classical "hero's journey;" a journey consisting of an ever-changing realm where heroes, monsters, villains, and talismans dwell in labyrinths of danger and discovery.
(While not a true "hero's journey," Anakin's path can be explored here.)
Growing up in an isolated community, the hero has no vision or understanding of the larger, outside world. In a sudden moment, after experiencing initial shock, the hero responds to the calling from beyond the walls of the community, and ventures forward. Leaving security and safety behind, the hero begins to explore the outside world. At this point, the hero meets and joins a fellow traveler, the figure who will become his mentor; the figure that knows both the journey and the ways of the world. Continuing on the path of adventure, the two encounter obstacles along the way which threaten the completion of the quest; with each encounter, the hero gains a fuller appreciation of his mentor and self-confidence, which will lead him, ultimately, to independence.
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In mythology, the hero's journey always begins with the "call to adventure." Destiny's messenger is oftentimes someone or something fairly ordinary that carries an important message for the individual who is prepared to receive it. Some heroes set out responsibly and intentionally to perform the deed prescribed by the journey. Other heroes, before they are allowed to make a decision, are thrown into the adventure. There are still other heroes who initially refuse the call to adventure, but eventually change their minds. Regardless of why the journey was undertaken, and unbeknownst to himself, the hero is always prepared for the trials he faces.
The hero takes off on a series of adventures beyond his wildest dreams, either to recover what has been lost or to discover some life-giving idea/remedy. The journey is a cycle of going and returning; the hero must move beyond known, conventional safety in order to undertake this journey.
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Oftentimes, the inexperienced hero finds that he cannot proceed without supernatural aid, which comes in the form of a "wise and helpful guide." This guide, wise in the ways of the world, provides the hero with knowledge, wisdom, and guidance as he progresses through the journey. Perhaps more importantly, the guide provides the hero with a talisman, a symbolic item that offers him power and strength.
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Although the hero is ultimately the one who must face the challenges that lie ahead, he generally does not do so alone. In addition to his "wise and helpful guide," the hero will also find companions that will accompany him on his journey. These companions can serve a variety of functions: they may offer balance for the hero, they may help the hero in battle, and they may help the hero learn valuable lessons. It should be noted that one of the hero's companions is almost always a "helpful animal," which symbolizes the power of the hero's instinctive nature.
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As the journey begins, the hero will leave the world he has always known and venture into the unknown; this step also starts his "inner-journey," for he begins the transition from childhood to adulthood and his "life-transformation." As the hero leaves this familiar world, he will cross a threshold. Sometimes, this is simply symbolic; other times, there will be some type of physical barrier that the hero must get through. Oftentimes, the hero will encounter "threshold guardians," beings who try to block the way to the adventure. "Threshold guardians" are those who would prevent those who are not ready for the journey to begin. They may try to prevent the hero from leaving, or they may try to prevent the hero from entering into the new realm; regardless of their allegiance, they will not let anyone who is not up to the task at hand pass.
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Upon passing the threshold guardians, the hero is now ready to enter a new world. Oftentimes, this new world engulfs the hero by surprise, in the form of a large "monster" which "swallows" the hero. Now, thrust deep into his journey, the hero must face either great fear or evil. While some heroes are literally in the belly of a beast, such as Jonah, most often this is symbolic. This step represents the entry into a mystical world where transformations occur, while the eventual escape represents a spiritual rebirth.
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After crossing the threshold and entering a new world, the hero must prove to be worthy of hero-status. To prove this, the hero will face a series of challenges and trials while on the journey, which fall into two main categories:
The Physical Deed - the hero performs a courageous act while in battle or saves lives.
The Spiritual Deed - the hero learns to experience the supernormal range of human spiritual life, and then comes back with wisdom.
This "road of trials," appearing as a long and perilous path of tests and ordeals, will bring forth important moments of illumination and understanding. Again and again along the way, monsters must be slain and barriers must be passed. The trials the hero faces are designed to see if he is, indeed, capable of being the hero. Is he a match for the task? Can he overcome the dangers? Does he possess the courage, knowledge, and capacity to enable him to serve? Additionally, the hero learns something vitally important about his own character through these adventures. However, the most important function of the "road of trials" is to prepare the hero for the most perilous step of his journey: descending into the very heart of darkness.
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Some heroes will battle literal dragons, or other such monsters, guarding their "treasure." Other heroes will battle their inner-dragons - the doubts and fears that they have about their own ability. Whether literal or figurative, the dragons must be slain in order for the hero to complete the journey.
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While on his journey, oftentimes the hero, or a companion close to the hero, is abducted and taken away. As the hero is transported elsewhere, or as the hero gives chase to the captors, the journey will take the hero either over the sea, or on a long night journey. Regardless of the specific type of abduction, the hero travels a great distance on this leg of his journey.
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Ancient civilizations widely believed the tree to be infused with creative energy - from this belief, forests have come to symbolize both mystery and transformation. Forests are oftentimes the home to powerful sorcerers or enchanters, beings who aid the hero in his journey. The natural inhabitants of the "sacred forest" can be both dangerous and helpful, but the hero must take the right approach to evoke their protective powers. Additionally, forests can also symbolize the unconscious mind - secrets can be discovered and dark emotions or memories can be faced. Time spent in the "sacred forest" is beneficial to the hero; he always leaves with added strength and wisdom.
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The hero will oftentimes have a special connection with one of his companions; this connection will serve as motivation to the hero to continue the journey when all else seems hopeless. The "sacred marriage" isn't meant to be taken literally - it is a symbolic union of two souls.
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Many heroes will meet a mystical being of great power while on their journey. This "goddess" will offer the hero infinite wisdom, as well as supernatural aid that will assist the hero when he is facing the greatest challenges of his journey. It should be noted that the "goddess" need not be a feminine character; serving only as a label, many "goddesses" are indeed masculine characters.
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Many heroes will find themselves locked in battle, either physical or psychological, with someone who is a "brother" to them. Whether this "brother" is a true blood relation to the hero, or just a symbolic brother, this battle signifies an important stepping stone in the hero's journey.
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The opening of the mind and heart to spiritual knowledge requires a sacrifice from the hero; in order for the hero to be transformed, he must give up his old life. While usually accomplished by a symbolic death, this sacrifice can also entail the hero losing a limb, thus signifying the loss of the old self. At this difficult and dangerous place on the journey, the hero reaffirms the meaning and importance of his life by his willingness to sacrifice.
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Many heroes have been separated from their fathers, or do not know their fathers. The "father quest," the seeking of this hidden knowledge, is one of the factors which motivates the hero when beginning the journey. After many trials and ordeals, the hero finds his father; "atonement" is reached when the hero is "at one" with the father. This is the center point of the journey - all previous steps have been moving into this place, and all that follow will move out from it.
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Literally, this means the elevation of the hero to the rank of a god, or the glorification of a person as an ideal. After completing many difficult challenges, the hero is idealized or worshipped in some way. If the hero dies a physical death, and lives in spirit, he enters a state of divine knowledge, love, compassion, and bliss. This is a god-like state, and the hero is beyond all strife. However, a more common way of looking at this step is that it is a period of rest, peace, and fulfillment before the hero begins his return.
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When the hero set out on his journey, some problem existed. The hero, through the brave deeds in his journey, is able to procure this "ultimate boon" and solve the problem. The "ultimate boon" is the achievement of the goal of the quest; it is what the hero went on the journey to get. All of the previous steps serve to prepare and purify the hero for this step.
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The hero's journey is a cycle that includes a departure and a return. The "return" marks the end of the "road of trials," and the hero returns from his adventures with the means to benefit his society. Oftentimes, the hero will carry the voice of the "wise and helpful guide" for new "heroes" yet to begin their own journey. However, it is possible for the "return" not be reached immediately, as some challenges may yet lie ahead. Furthermore, not all heroes complete the "return" cycle of their journey.
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On some occasions, the hero is content in the new world and does not wish to return to the old world. After completing his quest, which oftentimes ends with elevation to a god-like status, the hero may be reluctant to return to a normal life with cares and worries. However, if the hero is to reach his destiny and take his place as a leader in society, the return is necessary.
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Other times, the hero wants to return to the old world, but there are exterior forces that will stop at nothing to prevent him from doing so. This is usually the case if the "ultimate boon" is a literal object that has been taken from the gods whom jealously guard it. Enraged by the theft, the gods will give chase to the hero as he attempts to escape. In these such instances, returning from the journey can be as adventurous and as dangerous as the journey itself.
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Just as the hero needs guides and companions to set out on his journey, oftentimes the hero will need a guide or companion to bring him back to everyday life. The hero may find himself in a difficult situation, often being weakened or wounded, and just as things look hopeless, someone rescues the hero, giving him the chance to finish the journey. Other times, the hero may not realize that it is time to return, that he, in fact, can return, or that others require the "ultimate boon" now in their possession.
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While usually not as involved as the initial "crossing the threshold" he embarks on early in his journey, the hero must perform a similar task to return to his old world. As the hero leaves the new world and returns to his old world, he is "crossing the return threshold." While undertaking this transition, the hero usually retains the wisdom that was gained on his journey. Unlike the initial "crossing the threshold," there are no "threshold guardians" at this crossing; at this stage in his journey, the hero is ready to return.
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As the hero completes the challenges on his journey, his bravery is duly noted by those surrounding him. As a result, the hero is often looked on in high regard by those in both the new world and the old world. However, there are times when the hero returns to his old world and his message is unheard, or his achievements are unrecognized (often times if it is not what society was expecting). In this case, the hero may either die or be killed, but in all likelihood will return to the new world. The hero may also become "master of two worlds" by becoming comfortable and competent in both the inner and outer worlds; the hero achieves a balance between the material world and the spiritual world.
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If the hero is successful on his journey, and if the hero is accepted back into the old world, the hero will have the "freedom to live." After accomplishing the feats of his journey, the hero gains freedom over the fear of death, which in turn is the "freedom to live." This can also be referred to as living for the moment, neither anticipating the future nor regretting the past. Such heroes become, generally, great and admired leaders of their people.
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Joseph Campbell. The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
As the classic Star Wars trilogy begins, a battle rages in space between agents of the Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance. Before the rebels are overtaken, Princess Leia sends a plea for help to an Obi-Wan Kenobi, who resides on the planet below, Tatooine, through her droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO. The hand of fate, in the form of Jawa scavengers, brings her message to Luke Skywalker; unbeknownst to Luke, this sets in motion the initial steps of his hero's journey, a path he can neither understand nor fathom at this stage in his life.
Initial impressions of Luke Skywalker are those typical to the young hero: he is a solitary and naive youth who resides in an isolated community, in this case a moisture farm on a desert planet, and has no real vision or understanding of the larger, outside world. Although he is aware of the ongoing Galactic Civil War, a battle being waged between the tyrannical Empire and the freedom-fighting Rebel Alliance, his knowledge ends there. After purchasing the droids from the Jawas, Luke's Uncle Owen orders him to clean and prepare them for the upcoming harvest season. As he cleans the droids, the trio engages in conversation; Luke vents his frustrations of his lackluster, monotonous life and learns that the droids were involved in the rebellion against the Empire. Little does Luke know that he has just met his first companions that will accompany him on his long journey, fulfilling the roles of loyal servants / faithful sidekicks: R2-D2, an astromech-navigation droid, and C-3PO, a protocol droid specializing in human-cyborg relations. While cleaning R2-D2, Luke stumbles across the partial message "Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." Perplexed, Luke is curious to see the message in its entirety, but learns that the droids are "property of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a resident of these parts, and it's a private message for him." Absorbed by both the holographic message of Princess Leia and the familiar Kenobi namesake, young Luke is drawn into a quest to ensure that the droids are properly delivered.
Luke, thinking the droids were possible stolen from this Obi-Wan Kenobi, reports the situation to his Uncle Owen, and wonders if he's "related to old Ben?" At the mere mention of this name, Owen becomes agitated and withholding, telling Luke that "that wizard's just a crazy old man," and orders him to give the droids a memory wipe. Luke presses the issue further, and Owen reluctantly informs him that Obi-Wan Kenobi died the same time as his father. At the mere mention of his father, Luke becomes fascinated: "He knew my father?" Again, Luke is scolded as Owen rebukes, "I told you to forget it." At this point, Luke Skywalker subconsciously begins his father quest, for it is evident he knows practically nothing about his father, and has a strong desire for this seemingly forbidden knowledge. In addition to withholding this information, Owen also serves as the parental-blocking figure, by denying Luke his request to join the Imperial Academy, something he has wanted to do for many years. Dismayed, Luke walks out as his Aunt Beru defends his cause, proclaiming that "Luke's just not a farmer Owen - he has too much of his father in him."
In the middle of the night, R2-D2, continuing his role as destiny's herald, leaves the Lars' homestead in an attempt to find Obi-Wan Kenobi. Upon learning of this, Luke is forced to chase after him, although he must wait for morning; it is too dangerous to roam the barren wastelands of Tatooine at night. Morning comes, and Luke sets off on what seems to be a simple journey: find R2-D2, bring the droids to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and return home. After finding R2-D2 in the Jundland Wastes, Luke and the droids are soon ambushed by Tusken Raiders (Sandpeople), and are powerless to resist them. It seems as if Luke's simple journey will end in vain.
As the terrifying sound of a screaming krayt dragon is heard, the Tusken Raiders quickly scatter from their new finds, and a lone figure approaches from the distance, saving Luke and the droids from certain doom. It is Ben Kenobi, and Luke is more than relieved. Luke tells Ben about the droids seeking out Obi-Wan Kenobi, and learns that Ben and Obi-Wan are actually the same person, but that Ben hasn't "gone by the name Obi-Wan since, oh, before [Luke] was born." Obi-Wan, never seeming to remember owning droids, is momentarily puzzled, and decides to take his new acquaintances to his home.
At this meeting, Obi-Wan Kenobi takes his place as form of supernatural aid - the wise and helpful guide, and reveals to Luke a great deal of information - information that has been hidden from Luke by his Uncle Owen about his father, and the larger, outside world in general. For the first time in his life, Luke's eyes have been opened to this larger world - the world beyond the deserts of Tatooine:
"No, my father didn't fight in the Clone Wars. He was a navigator on a spice freighter."
"That's what your uncle told you. He didn't hold with your father's ideals; thought he should've stayed here and not gotten involved."
"You fought in the Clone Wars?"
"Yes. I was once a Jedi Knight, the same as your father."
"I wish I'd known him..."
"He was the best star pilot in the galaxy... and a cunning warrior. I understand you've become quite a good pilot yourself... and he was a good friend. Which reminds me. I have something for you. Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn't allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damn fool idealistic crusade like your father did."
"What is it?"
"Your father's lightsaber. This is the weapon of a Jedi Knight. Not as clumsy or random as a blaster; an elegant weapon for a more civilized age. For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times. Before the Empire."
"How did my father die?"
"A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine, until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force."
Everything Luke knows of his father, knowledge which came from his uncle, has been contradicted by Obi-Wan's revelations. In addition to feeding knowledge to Luke's father quest, Obi-Wan also gives Luke his talisman - the lightsaber of Anakin Skywalker, his father. Additionally, Obi-Wan opens Luke's eyes to the Force, the energy field created by all living things that gives a Jedi his power. With this new knowledge overrunning his mind, Luke is at a loss for words.
Obi-Wan interprets the message from Princess Leia, and tries to convince Luke to join him on his journey to Alderaan. Although gaining forbidden knowledge of his father has propelled Luke forward in his quest, he is still afraid of rebelling against his uncle; he knows his Uncle Owen would forbid him from venturing to Alderaan. Obi-Wan, not pressing the issue further, simply responds: "You must do what you feel is right, of course." Luke will, however, accompany Obi-Wan to Anchorhead, a local spaceport where Obi-Wan can find transport.
Initially, Luke is able to resist the call to adventure, but Fate has alternate plans. On their way to Anchorhead, the group finds the Jawas who sold the droids, and their sandcrawler destroyed, left in smoking ruins. As Obi-Wan shows Luke that this horrific act was caused by the Empire, and not Tusken Raiders he originally suspected, Luke races home. He finds his home burned and his family murdered, further sinister acts of the Empire. He returns to Obi-Wan, who offers the consoling words: "There's nothing you could've done, Luke. You'd have been killed too, and the droids would be in the hands of the Empire." At this critical junction, having nothing left, Luke Skywalker sets out on the greater journey: "I want to come with you to Alderaan. There's nothing for me here now. I want to learn the ways of the Force, and become a Jedi like my father."
To continue of their journey, Luke and company must find passage to Alderaan. Upon entering the cantina, a "wretched hive of scum and villainy," in Mos Eisley, Luke, following Obi-Wan as he searches for a pilot, is astonished by this strange new world now surrounding him. The cantina, with its chaotic assembly of aliens, serves as passage to the dangerous would Luke is about to enter. Moments after entering the cantina, while minding his own business, Luke runs into a pair of bounty hunters. Ponda Baba and Dr. Evazan, two of the cantina's seedy low-life, act as the threshold guardians attempting to block Luke's advancement. For the first time in his life, Luke stands up for himself and, with Obi-Wan's assistance, overcomes this barrier; he is truly ready to begin his journey.
While still in Mos Eisley's cantina, Luke is introduced to two additional companions that will join him in his long journey: Han Solo, a smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon, seemingly out for himself, and his faithful first mate, the Wookiee Chewbacca. As seen with the droids, each companion fulfills a specific role on the journey: Han acts as the older brother / brother-in-arms, while Chewbacca acts as the animalistic familiar. After their introductions, and a little bantering, the pilots agree to bring Luke's party to Alderaan - for a price.
With its passengers and crew onboard, the Millennium Falcon blasts off from docking bay 94 in Mos Eisley's spaceport and heads for Alderaan. At this point, Luke Skywalker crosses the threshold; he leaves his home-planet of Tatooine and enters a new world - a new world that is both dangerous and exhilarating. The peril of this new world is realized immediately, as massive starships of the Imperial Navy, Imperial Star Destroyers, give chase to the Millennium Falcon before it can jump to hyperspace. Attesting to his previous boasts, Han is able to outmaneuver and outrun the Star Destroyers, and the ship enters hyperspace. While on this intergalactic space voyage, Obi-Wan begins to instruct Luke in the ways of the Force, reiterating further the new and larger world Luke now belongs to.
When the Millennium Falcon exits hyperspace in the vicinity of Alderaan, the crew quickly finds that is has been destroyed by the Empire. While expressing disbelief over this chain of events, they are thrust into the belly of the beast. The tractor beams on the Death Star, a gigantic Imperial space station the size of a small moon, ensnare the ship, and force it to land in one of the station's many hangars. The massive Death Star, which is a technological labyrinth containing mazes of hallways, passages, dead-ends, and bottomless trenches, literally swallows the Millennium Falcon, and places Luke and his companions in the midst of great evil. It is here that Obi-Wan Kenobi separates himself from the others in an attempt to disable the tractor beams, which, if successful, will allow the party to escape the clutches of the Empire. As Luke protests the decision of his mentor, Obi-Wan once again offers guidance and wisdom:
"Be patient, Luke. Stay and watch over the droids. They must be delivered safely or other star systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan. Your destiny lies on a different path than mine. The Force will be with you, always."
While arguing amongst themselves, waiting for Obi-Wan to return, the others learn, through R2-D2, that Princess Leia is being held captive in the Death Star. Although initially hesitant, Han, after being promised of riches and rewards, and Chewbacca join Luke in an attempt to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire, while the droids remain behind. An important step in Luke's growth and development transpires here; he casts aside the shoes of the follower, and takes on the larger role of a leader. Although by momentarily abandoning the droids, he acts against the wishes of Obi-Wan, he remains true to Obi-Wan's guidance; he is doing what he thinks is right. As they set off on their quest to rescue Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, as well as Han Solo and Chewbacca, take the first steps on the road of trials.
The trio set off on a journey that takes them into prison ward, which is located in the depths of the Death Star. As Han and Chewbacca provide cover fire against Imperial Stormtroopers, Luke rescues Princess Leia. This is a vital stage in Luke's journey: not only does he gain another companion for his journey, but he gains the companion with whom he will share the bond of sacred marriage, a special relationship and unique bond between two souls. As the number of Stormtroopers seems infinite, the heroes are forced to flee by method of a garbage chute. This garbage chute brings them to a trash compactor, where they must rely on the help of the droids to escape. Due to the perseverance of the Stormtroopers, the party is forced to split: Han and Chewbacca go one way, while Luke and Leia go another. Each duo battles its fair share of Stormtroopers, and the first phase of the sacred marriage is shared between Luke and Leia. Everyone, including the droids, is returning to the Millennium Falcon to attempt as escape, but they approach the hangar only to witness an ongoing battle.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is engaged in a lightsaber duel with his old student, Darth Vader; his purpose is to both stall and draw the attention of the numerous Stormtroopers in the hangar, so Luke and his companions can escape. Everyone rushes to board the Millennium Falcon but Luke; he is mesmerized with the duel, and wants to help his mentor. Recognizing Luke's error in judgment, warm-hearted as it may be, Obi-Wan allows Darth Vader to strike him down; he knows Luke will not flee with the others any other way. However, after witnessing the death of his mentor, Luke is more determined than before, and starts firing on the surrounding Stormtroopers, calling attention to himself. It is only when, through the Force, Obi-Wan tells him to "Run, Luke. Run," that he enters the Millennium Falcon, allowing everyone to escape.
Although out of the clutches of the Death Star and in open space, the party is still in harm's way, for they are being pursued by a squadron of Imperial TIE Fighters. Luke joins Han in ship's gun turrets, and they successfully destroy the enemy fighters. With the enemy threat momentarily being subsided, things have calmed down; however, unbeknownst to them, their ship is being tracked and followed by the Death Star. As they have fought, evaded, and overcame danger together, the members of the group are becoming closer to one another. Specifically, the bond between Luke and Leia, as well as that between Luke and Han, has grown stronger over a short time. In stark contrast, however, is the relationship between Han and Leia, for she sees him as a true mercenary, only looking out and caring for himself.
The Millennium Falcon travels to Yavin 4, the jungle planet housing a secret base of the Rebel Alliance, carrying a saddened Luke, who only now reflects over the loss of his mentor, and the Death Star plans safely embedded in R2-D2. Upon arriving at the rebel base, Luke Skywalker formally joins the Rebel Alliance as a fighter pilot. Luke once again casts aside his youthful identity and assumes a new role - that of the hero - a pilot willing to sacrifice his life for his cause. Conversely, we see that Han Solo is abandoning the rebels and leaving with his reward - the usual course of action for a mercenary. As Han and Luke exchange farewells, it is obvious that Luke is disappointed in the decision of his newfound friend; he thought and hoped that Han would also join the Rebel Alliance. In parting, he tries to sway Han's decision one last time, by simply telling him to "Take care of yourself; it's what you're good at," but to no avail. As Han leaves, Luke's sadness momentarily passes; he is reunited with Biggs Darklighter, his long-time childhood friend from Tatooine who is also a pilot in the Rebel Alliance. After quickly exchanging sentiments, they proceed to the briefing room.
In the briefing room, the assembled pilots of the Rebel Alliance learn that the approaching Death Star does indeed have a weakness - a precise shot fired into the exposed thermal exhaust port could possibly ignite a chain reaction capable of destroying the station. With this in mind, and against impossible odds, the rebels launch their ships against the might of the Empire. It is here, in the cold of space, that Luke Skywalker fights his first dragon battle, with the dragon taking the form of Imperial TIE Fighters and laser turrets on the surface of the massive space station. However, in his first real battle, he is not alone; the voice of Obi-Wan returns to him, constantly telling him to "Trust your feelings" and "Use the Force." As the dogfight ensues, although impossibly outnumbered, the courageous rebels slowly gain the upper hand, forcing many Imperial pilots to break away from their squadrons, throwing them into disarray. At this critical junction, Darth Vader, taking Imperial pilots as wingmen, personally joins the Battle of Yavin; he alone is the only high-ranking Imperial taking the threat of the rebels seriously, refusing to be blinded by arrogance.
As he enters the fray, Darth Vader systematically destroys a majority of the remaining rebel fighters making strafing runs on the Death Star. The piloting skills of the Dark Lord of the Sith cannot be matched, and he targets the sole remaining rebel fighter formation: Luke Skywalker, Biggs Darklighter, and Wedge Antilles. As Darth Vader gives chase, he first fires on Wedge's X-Wing Starfighter, destroying a stabilizer; Luke, unaccustomed to the brutality of war, has seen enough death this day, and orders him to return to base. Within moments, Biggs is destroyed. Luke is alone in the cold of space, with Darth Vader closing in on him, as he races towards the thermal exhaust port of the Death Star.
As Luke approaches the thermal exhaust port, he attempts to read the target with his targeting computer - the same model of targeting computer equipped on all rebel starfighters that has been unable to deliver the precise shot that is necessary. Again, Obi-Wan's voice reaches out to Luke, urging him to "Use the Force, Luke. Let go, Luke." However, listening with a hesitant ear, these words alone are not enough to convince Luke. It is only when Obi-Wan adds, "Luke, trust me," that he turns off the targeting computer and uses the Force to establish his target. At this specific moment, Darth Vader closes in on Luke, and while preparing to fire, notices that "The Force is strong in this one." Momentarily stunned at sensing the Force so strongly in a rebel pilot, his attack strikes off-target, and damages R2-D2, leaving Luke's X-Wing intact. As he fires a second salvo, his concentration is again broken, as a wild shot destroys his first wingmen, causing his second wingman to careen and clip his TIE Fighter, knocking him off-course and spinning the ship out of control. Puzzled at this turn of events, Luke hears a different voice tell him "You're all clear, kid. Now let's blow this thing and go home!" Han Solo, who has overcome his inner-conflict and taken the first steps from mercenary to hero, has returned to save his friend.
Now in the clear, Luke uses the Force and fires the precise shot, and the Death Star is destroyed. With the help of his companions, he has emerged victorious from his first dragon battle. As he reflects on the shot that is "one in a million," Luke begins his spiritual transformation; by accepting and trusting the Force, he is able to continue on his long journey toward becoming a Jedi Knight. The bonds between Luke and his companions, as well as the bonds amongst the companions themselves, strengthen further. He, as well as Leia, are delighted that Han has returned a changed man; Han has earned Luke's complete trust, and is now fully capable of filling the role as the older brother / brother-in-arms throughout the remainder of the journey. By conquering a great evil with their acts of bravery, Luke and Han become heroes of the Rebel Alliance, and are formally recognized in a grand awards ceremony. The bonds between Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO have grown tremendously, and the Death Star has been destroyed; this day truly belongs to the Rebel Alliance, although the Galactic Civil War is far from over.
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The Rebel Alliance, although victorious during the Battle of Yavin three years earlier, has seen many dark days of late. After the destruction of the Death Star, the Empire intensified its relentless pursuit of the Rebel Alliance across the galaxy, forcing them into a pattern of abandoning and evacuating their headquarters, and fleeing to the stars. Aboard his personal flagship, the Super Star Destroyer Executor, Darth Vader has traveled to all corners of the galaxy, obsessed with finding Luke Skywalker. Meanwhile, Luke has quickly risen in the ranks of the Rebel Alliance; Commander Skywalker's achievements include establishing a new rebel base in the remote Hoth system and, with Wedge Antilles, forming Rogue Squadron - a squadron of the Alliance's elite fighter pilots. Although he has lost his mentor, Luke, by practicing the few lessons Obi-Wan was able to teach him, has continued his training in the Jedi arts, and is becoming stronger in the ways of the Force.
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Within the opening moments of The Empire Strikes Back, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are riding tauntauns across the frozen wastelands of Hoth, the secret location of the newly established rebel base. After placing life scanners across the landscape, Luke sees an asteroid crash to the surface; Luke informs Han that he will investigate the asteroid, while Han returns to the base. However, on his way to the site of the crash-landing, Luke and his tauntaun fall prey to a wampa ice creature, one of Hoth's fearsome predators. Luke's tauntaun is killed, while he is knocked into the realm of unconsciousness.
As Luke groggily awakens, he finds himself trapped in the cavern of the wampa, hanging upside down, mere meters from the predatory creature. Surprised, he frantically searches for an escape route, but is unable to free himself. From the corner of his eye, he sees his lightsaber, embedded in the ice, out of his reach, lying beneath him. Using the Force, Luke calls his weapon to him, while the wampa, seeing his prey beginning to stir, hurries towards Luke; Luke Skywalker finds himself in the midst of another dragon battle. Using his lightsaber, Luke frees himself from his restraints, falls to the floor, and severs the creature's arm, causing it to scream in a raging agony. Luke, not wanting to remain near the wounded creature, while refusing to kill it, flees the cavern and heads for the dangerous, frozen plains of Hoth. This is an important step in the progression of the hero, for this is the first battle Luke has won by himself, without the aid and guidance of others.
Valiantly, Luke tries to brave the bitter cold. But the frigid temperatures, drifting snow, and howling winds soon take their toll. Once again, Luke slips to unconsciousness, for the natural environment of Hoth is far more dangerous than its predators. As Luke's life energies seem to fade, Obi-Wan Kenobi returns to his student yet again. Previously only coming to Luke as a voice, he now comes to Luke as a speaking apparition; although he has died, he has grown stronger, becoming one with the Force. Returning to his role as the wise and helpful guide, Obi-Wan once again offers guidance:
"Luke... Luke... You will go to the Dagobah system. There you will learn from Yoda, the Jedi Master who instructed me."
Luke, still fighting the elements, is only able to mutter at Obi-Wan's words. And, as suddenly as he appeared, Obi-Wan vanishes. Han arrives, again saving Luke from certain death, and prepares a shelter for the two of them so they are able to survive the fast approaching night. When morning breaks, they are found by rebel pilots searching the area for their lost heroes, and are taken back to the Echo Base.
However, this newfound relief is short-lived; the Imperial fleet, through the use of Imperial probe droids, has monitored the movements of the Rebel Alliance, and is blockading the Hoth system. Unleashing a full ground assault, the Imperials deploy legions of Imperial Snowtroopers and All-Terrain Armored Transports (AT-ATs) that march towards Echo Base. Their mission is to destroy the planet's shield generators, the only line of defense employed against a planetary bombardment, before the rebels can evacuate. As the ground battle erupts, Luke and the remainder of Rogue Squadron, as well as numerous rebel ground troops, prepare to make a last stand; they must fend off the Imperial advancement while their comrades evacuate. Luke knows that once the AT-ATs, known to the rebels as Imperial walkers, reach Echo Base, victory lies in the hands of the Empire. If the Rebel Alliance is to successfully evacuate, his squadron must delay the advancing attack as much as possible.
Luke, accompanied by his co-pilot, Dack Ralter, leads the attack on the fast-approaching AT-ATs. However, within moments, the AT-ATs display their combat superiority. Not only is the armor of the AT-ATs nearly impenetrable, but the weapon crews manning the walkers quickly destroy half of the squadron. As Luke and Dack make their attack run, Dack is killed by blaster fire; once again, the brutality of war strikes personally against Luke. However, Luke has no time to mourn his friend's death, for his Snowspeeder is shot down, and he crash lands in the path of an approaching AT-AT; he must act quickly to avoid death himself. Although his ship is destroyed, Luke is not without resources. Using a cable to launch himself onto the underside of the massive machine, he carves a hole in the hull with his lightsaber, and tosses a thermal detonator into the belly of the mechanical beast. The AT-AT is destroyed, and Luke, now of foot, heads to a secondary launching zone located on the outskirts of Echo Base, where he prepares to evacuate himself. While initiating the launch sequence of his X-Wing Starfighter, he sees a heart-warming sight; the Millennium Falcon narrowly escaping Echo Base, heading for the stars. Taking solace in the fact that many rebel transports have been successfully evacuated, and that his friends are momentarily safe, Luke sets his course for the Dagobah system.
As Luke approaches Dagobah, he becomes puzzled; his ship's scanners show no signs of any cities or technology, but pick up an abundance of life and energy readings on the planet. Remarking to himself, "What a strange place to find a Jedi Master," he nevertheless continues his approach. As he enters the planet's atmosphere, he prepares to land, but a dense fog clouds his visibility, and he loses control of his ship. Crashing into a swampy bog, Luke becomes frustrated with himself; however, having nothing to lose, he ventures forward. Luke disembarks from his half-sunken ship, and through heavy fog, sees a landscape full of strange creatures, giant trees, and slimy swamps, but no signs of civilization. Although it seems as if he stranded on this alien planet with no hope of escape, Luke has, unbeknownst to him, entered the sacred forest.
While conversing with R2-D2, and second-guessing his decision to come to Dagobah, Luke begins to unpack his survival gear and starts setting up camp. Within moments, he is startled by a small, green, and unusual creature sitting in one of the planet's many trees. Luke and the creature engage in a small conversation, and soon after the creature begins rummaging through Luke's things and eating his food. Although this creature is annoying Luke, he offers to help him search for his friend. Luke, fueled by frustration at both the creature and his predicament, snaps that he is not looking for a friend, but for a Jedi Master. The creature responds, "Yoda! You seek Yoda!" Startled that this silly and annoying creature is even aware of the Jedi Master's existence, Luke reluctantly follows him. The creature will take Luke to Yoda, but only after enjoying a short meal with his new friend.
The mysterious creature brings Luke to his small home, where he prepares Luke a meal. Luke, expressing his growing levels of impatience, wonders why he must wait, and why he cannot see Yoda now. The creature urges him to have patience, and, unknown to Luke, presents him with the first of many tests:
"Why wish you become Jedi?"
"Mostly because of my father, I guess."
"Oh!... Father... powerful Jedi was he, hmmm... powerful Jedi."
"Oh come on! How could you know my father? You don't even know who I am! I don't even know what I'm doing here! We're wasting our time."
"I cannot teach him. The boy has no patience."
"He will learn patience."
"Hmmm... much anger in him, like his father..."
"Was I any different when you taught me?"
"He is not ready."
"Yoda? ...I am ready... Ben, I, I can be a Jedi. Ben, tell him I'm ready."
"Ready are you? What knows, ready? For 800 years have I trained Jedi. My own council I will keep on who is to be trained... A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This one, a long time have I watched. All his life, as he looked away, to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was, hmmm... what he was doing. Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless."
"So was I, if you remember."
"He is too old. Yes, too old to begin the training."
"But I've learned so much."
"Will he finish what he begins?"
"I won't fail you. I'm not afraid."
"Good. You will be..."
Only too late does Luke realize the test placed before him; the test at which he failed miserably. Although Luke fails Yoda's initial test, it is nevertheless an important phase in his development. The small amount of information Yoda revealed furthers Luke's father quest, for there now exists another source regarding information about his father. Additionally, he experiences the great wisdom, ability, and foresight of Yoda, the Jedi Master who has, to his amazement, observed Luke his entire life, despite being so very far away. After both Obi-Wan's mysterious intervention and Luke's pleading, Yoda agrees to complete Luke's training as a Jedi. Luke Skywalker has discovered the goddess that will aid him on his journey, for the mystical Yoda will go to great lengths to ensure Luke gains the wisdom and spiritual growth necessary to become a Jedi Knight.
Yoda begins to instruct Luke immediately, taking him deep into the mystical forests of Dagobah; the near-infinite amount of life energies in these forests project a powerful channel to the Force, making is the perfect learning ground for Jedi instruction. Yoda begins with the most basic lesson, also the most important, informing Luke of the danger and lure of the Dark side of the Force, but becomes disturbed at Luke's sudden lack in concentration:
"A Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the Dark side. Anger, fear, aggression, the Dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow. Quick to join you in a fight. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan's apprentice."
"Vader... Is the Dark side stronger?"
"No, no. Easier. More seductive."
"But how will I know the good side from the bad?"
"You will know when you are calm, at peace. Passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack."
"But tell me why I can't -"
"No, no... there is no why. Nothing more will I teach you today. Clear your mind of questions."
Over time, Luke's training progresses, and Yoda brings him to a cave deep in the forests of Dagobah. Luke senses that there is something not right with the cave, because it feels cold. Yoda reveals that it is strong with the Dark side, but nevertheless, Luke must enter it to continue his training. As Luke prepares to enter the cave, he reaches for his weapons; Yoda informs him that he will not need them. Luke doesn't truly believe him, and, grabbing his weapons, enters the cave. In the chilling cave, he is confronted by an image of Darth Vader that is methodically approaching him. Luke, disobeying Yoda's teachings, draws his weapon first, and takes to the offensive in a lightsaber duel. Luke easily defeats the apparition of Darth Vader, and decapitates him. However, as the black helmet of the Dark Lord falls to the ground, it explodes - revealing to Luke his own face inside the helmet; Luke has failed again.
As the intense training continues, Yoda tries to teach Luke another vital lesson; to forget. Luke's pre-conceived notion of a Jedi Knight is entirely wrong, for they need not be warriors. Yoda's teachings revolve around mental prowess - not lightsaber techniques - and a deeper understanding of the Force. Although Luke is a quick learner in the ways of the Force, he still lacks concentration; he listens to Yoda, yet he does not truly believe in his teachings. Realizing that this is a problem which needs to be addressed before Luke can further his training, Yoda prepares a most demanding challenge.
Yoda leads Luke to the very same bog where they first met, for Luke's mission is to retrieve his half-sunken ship by using the Force. This exercise will truly test Luke's abilities, as inanimate objects don't share the same powerful connection with the Force that living creatures do. As Luke concentrates on the task at hand, the ship begins to slowly rise from the bog. However, unable to remain focused on the ship, he loses his concentration - a common fault throughout his training - and as the ship fully sinks, Luke resigns to defeat:
"I can't. It's too big."
"Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?"
"No."
"And where you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. It's energy surrounds us, binds us; luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you. Between you, me... the tree, the rock. Everywhere. Yes. Even between the land and the ship."
"You want the impossible."
As Luke walks away, frustrated and head-hung in defeat, Yoda realizes that actions, not words, are required to further Luke's progress. Clearing his mind of disappointment in Luke, Yoda easily retrieves the entire ship from the swamp, levitates it in the air, and, finally, has it land on the solid ground nearby. Seeing the amazed and astonished look in Luke's eyes, Yoda delivers a hard lesson to his pupil:
"I don't... I don't believe it..."
"That, is why you fail."
Seeing Yoda complete the same challenge that he failed, Luke finally believes in Yoda's teachings. Although Luke rededicates himself to his training with a new passion, he again is unable to concentrate. However, unlike his previous failures, this lack of concentration is caused by his strong connection to the Force. He is haunted by a vision that comes to him; a vision of the abduction of his friends. Yoda, as if seeing the same vision, senses the disturbance in Luke, and expands upon the mysterious power of the Force:
"I saw... I saw a city in the clouds..."
"Friends you have there."
"They were in pain."
"It is the future you see."
"The future... Will they die?"
"Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future."
"I've got to go to them."
"Decide you must, how to serve them best. If you leave now, help them you could. But you would destroy all for which they have fought and suffered."
Luke tries to continue in his training, but the haunting and recurring vision always breaks his concentration. Although he has resisted the vision to this point, he can no longer ignore it; he now can feel the pain his friends are experiencing, and it is excruciating. Luke makes his way to his ship, and orders R2-D2 to prepare for take-off. As Yoda pleads with Luke, the apparition of Obi-Wan Kenobi appears, also urging Luke to complete his training:
"Luke... You must complete the training."
"I can't keep the vision out of my head. They're my friends. I've got to help them."
"You must not go."
"But Han and Leia will die if I don't."
"You don't know that. Even Yoda cannot see their fate."
"But I can help them. I feel the Force."
"But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you. When you will be tempted by the Dark side of the Force."
"Yes, yes... To Obi-Wan you listen. The cave. Remember your failure at the cave."
"But I've learned so much since then. Master Yoda, I promise to return and finish what I've begun... You have my word."
"It is you and your abilities the Emperor wants. That is why your friends are made to suffer."
"That's why I have to go."
"Luke, I don't want to lose you to the Emperor the way I lost Vader."
"You won't."
"Stop they must be. On this, all depends. Only a fully trained Jedi Knight, with the Force as his ally,, will conquer Vader and his Emperor. If you end your training now, if you choose the quick and easy path, as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil."
"Patience."
"And sacrifice Han and Leia?"
"If you honor what they fight for, yes."
"If you choose to face Vader, you will do it alone. I cannot interfere."
"I understand... R2, fire up the converters."
Giving in to his emotions, Luke, choosing to once again do what he believes is right, abandons his training in an attempt to rescue his friends from the danger they are in. As Luke enters his ship, Obi-Wan and Yoda, aware they cannot sway Luke's mind, offer him final words of guidance:
"Luke, don't give in to hate. That leads to the Dark side."
"Strong is Vader. Mind what you have learned. Save you it can."
Luke, sensing his mentors' distress, vows, "I will. And I'll return. I promise." Although his training is incomplete, true to the hero's journey, Luke is leaving the sacred forest with additional strength and wisdom. As his Jedi mentors hang their heads, Luke Skywalker leaves Dagobah and travels across the galaxy to the Bespin system, where his companions are being held captive.
As Luke enters Bespin's atmosphere and approaches Cloud City, he is cleared for landing; however, he is walking into a trap. By the time he lands, Han - frozen in carbonite - is on his way to Slave I, the vessel of bounty hunter Boba Fett, and Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO are being escorted by Imperial Stormtroopers to Darth Vader's shuttle. As he navigates through the now-abandoned city, he catches a glimpse of Leia and the Stormtroopers. As they open fire on Luke and usher Leia away from his sight, she warns him of the trap; still, his friends are in danger, and his emotions carry him forward. As he tails the Stormtroopers, they lead him directly to a carbon-freezing chamber; the very same carbon-freezing chamber his older-brother / brother-in-arms Han Solo fell victim to.
As Luke enters the carbon-freezing chamber, a dark room that casts an eerie glow, the door immediately locks behind him. This is an important step in Luke's journey, for he no longer has a choice placed before him; he must continue and confront the terror behind his agonizing visions, Darth Vader. As he continues to explore the strange chamber, an ominous voice beckons, "The Force is with you, young Skywalker... but you are not a Jedi yet." Luke approaches the Sith Lord, and again disregards the teachings of Yoda, showing he is not yet ready to become a Jedi. Ignoring Yoda's words, as well as his failure in the cave on Dagobah, he makes a critical error by igniting and striking with his weapon first. Drawing on his anger and hatred of Darth Vader, he begins walking down the path of the Dark side, the very same force that holds sway over Darth Vader. Although Luke's skills have improved dramatically from his time spent with Yoda, he is clearly out-skilled and out-matched.
Within moments, Vader gains the upper hand in the duel; as he controls the duel, he also controls Luke's subsequent movements and reactions. As the duel progresses, Vader's skill becomes overpowering, and Luke finds himself quickly thrown on the defensive - a desirable position for a fully trained Jedi, however, Luke is far from a fully trained Jedi at this time. By underestimating the skills of Darth Vader, Luke is forced to abandon what little strategy he had, and he enters a stage of recklessness and panic. Although the opportunity presents itself, Vader refuses to destroy Luke, and he merely toys with his opponent. Vader tries to appeal to Luke, and as he senses Luke's deteriorating mental state, he utters words that further spiral Luke out of control:
"You have learned much, young one."
"You'll find I'm full of surprises."
"Your destiny lies with me, Skywalker. Obi-Wan knew this to be true."
"No!"
And with that, Vader pushes him into the actual carbon-freezing chamber. However, Luke refuses to give up so easily, and he uses the Force to leap out of the chamber as the freezing process begins. Again, Vader compliments Luke on his abilities while further toying with his emotions:
"Impressive... most impressive... Obi-Wan has taught you well. You have controlled your fear. Now, release your anger. Only your hatred can destroy me."
Again, mentioning the name of his fallen mentor drives Luke's emotions into a frenzy, and he launches a quick strike against Vader. As the duel continues, the pair finds themselves maneuvering into a room adjoining the carbon-freezing chamber, and here, Vader holds back no more. While continuing his lightsaber duel with Luke, Vader shows his mastery of the Force, for, in addition to fighting, he begins launching objects at Luke. Luke cannot defeat this dual-threat, and in no time is staggering and on the verge of defeat. Vader stops advancing with his lightsaber, and focuses on launching more projectiles towards Luke. Although he tries to stop the oncoming assault with his lightsaber, there are too many objects for an exhausted Luke to concentrate on, and soon they are crushing him. A final projectile strikes Luke, bounces off his body, and shatters a nearby window that looks down into the depths of Cloud City. Vader holds his ground, but Luke is pulled by the onrush of currents, and is sucked into the abyss.
Luckily for Luke, he lands on a small platform extending into the chasm, although he is still struggling to regain power from within. In moments, relentless in his pursuit, Vader arrives on the platform, and the duel takes an unexpected turn. Although Luke is expecting to be destroyed by Vader, he realizes that does not seem to be the Sith Lord's intention; for if it was, Luke realizes, he would have been destroyed earlier:
"You are beaten. It is useless to resist. Don't let yourself be destroyed as Obi-Wan did."
However, Luke refuses to give in to Vader, and continues to fight back. Vader's reference to Obi-Wan again sends Luke into a fury, and he strikes Vader on the shoulder. For the first time, Luke sees the true power of Darth Vader unleashed, and it is something he cannot possibly defend against. In his sudden rage, Vader viciously attacks Luke and severs his right arm near the wrist, causing his lightsaber to fall into the abyss, leaving him powerless and in a great deal of pain. Although Luke is seemingly at his weakest moment, defenseless, for he has lost his talisman, and in excruciating pain, nothing can prepare him for what is to come:
"There is no escape. Don't make me destroy you. Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. Join me, and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy."
"I'll never join you!"
"If you only knew the power of the Dark side... Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your father..."
"He told me enough! He told me you killed him!"
"No... I am your father."
"No. No. That's not true. That's impossible!"
"Search your feelings, you know it be true."
"NO! NO!"
"Luke, you can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together, we can rule the galaxy as father and son. Come with me. It is the only way."
Luke's emotions have been thrust into total chaos; Darth Vader has shattered the truth he has learned about his father from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Until this point, Luke has tried to follow in his father's footsteps as both a heroic pilot and a Jedi; he cannot fathom this dark and unknown side of his father that is Darth Vader, the image he has grown to hate. Writhing in pain from both his wound and the revelation that Vader has thrust upon him, and seemingly powerless, Luke heeds the words of Obi-Wan and Yoda. At this difficult and dangerous junction, as Vader offers Luke his hand, Luke steps off the platform into the abyss; he realizes that he must sacrifice himself rather than becoming a tool of evil like Vader.
During this key transition, Luke takes a giant step on his quest: he has experienced both dismemberment and symbolic death, and has chosen personal sacrifice, reaffirming the importance of his life. His mind and heart have now been opened completely to the spiritual knowledge that is the Force. Although this knowledge came at great cost, Luke finally believes and accepts the many lessons that Yoda preached about the Force.
As Luke falls into the abyss, he lands in one of many ventilation ducts that gather at the base of Cloud City; although he has chosen sacrifice, the hand of fate refuses to let Luke perish. As he continues to slide throughout the ducts, he comes to a sudden halt. Before he is able to gather himself, the floor drops out from beneath him, and he begins sliding down the ducts again. However, this duct does not lead further into the abyss, for it leads to the atmosphere of the gas giant Bespin itself. Luke is able to grab onto an antenna that hangs near the chute, and with one hand, he hangs on for dear life; he has become the symbol of regeneration through reversal of circumstances. Finally able to absorb the impact of the dire situation he finds himself in, and confused as to why Obi-Wan never told him the truth, he pleads to his former mentor, but to no avail. As he slips further down the antenna, he reaches his last resort, and pleads, "Leia... hear me..." It is here, when Luke Skywalker finds himself in a hopeless situation, in dire need of assistance, that the true power of the sacred marriage he holds with Leia reveals itself.
Although Luke was unable to save his companions in Cloud City, the heroic acts of redemption performed by Lando Calrissian allowed Princess Leia, Chewbacca, and C-3PO to escape the clutches of the Empire. Leia, now in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and attempting to escape Bespin from Imperial TIE Fighters, through seemingly telepathic contact, suddenly hears Luke's plea for help. Chewbacca and Lando, now piloting the Millennium Falcon in Han's absence, are skeptical of Leia, but she refuses to back down. They turn the ship around, heading into the oncoming TIE Fighters, and Leia guides them to Luke, who is still hanging from the antenna beneath Cloud City. She has answered his call for help, and as he is rescued, Luke meets the final companion who will accompany him on the remainder of his journey - Lando Calrissian, a gambler / pirate, and an old acquaintance of Han's.
As Lando ushers Luke to safety in the Millennium Falcon, the ship leaves the planet's atmosphere and enters space, only to be met by a fleet of Imperial Star Destroyers, spear-headed by the Super Star Destroyer Executor, Darth Vader's personal flagship. As the Millennium Falcon skims by the massive starship, Vader telepathically calls out to Luke:
"Luke."
"Father."
"Son. Come with me."
"Ben... why didn't you tell me?"
"Luke, it is your destiny."
"Ben... why didn't you tell me?"
Although short in duration, this conversation is an important step in Luke's journey. Initially, when confronted with the terrible truth about his father, Luke was in a stage of denial; at this point, he calls Darth Vader as his father, beginning to accept the truth about his father's identity. More importantly, this recognition is the first step in allowing Luke to eventually reach the atonement with father he desperately seeks. In addition, Luke has finally recognized the Dark side of himself that exists as part of his destiny, whereas previously he had failed to accept it. Moments after this conversation, the Millennium Falcon enters hyperspace, and feels to the Rebel Alliance fleet's rendezvous point.
As the heroes arrive at the rendezvous point, the Millennium Falcon docks with a medical frigate, and Luke is given an artificial hand. Luke learns that his companions failed in their attempt to rescue Han, and that he is now in the clutches of Boba Fett, soon to be turned over to Jabba the Hutt. Continuing in the path of the hero, Luke devises a plan to save his best friend from abduction, sending Chewbacca and Lando to Tatooine, where he will meet them in the near future. For the time being, he remains on the medical frigate with Leia, C-3PO, and R2-D2. While it may appear that Luke Skywalker and his companions have failed in their quest, for Luke is given an artificial limb after his defeat, and Han is frozen in a state of hibernation, they are merely progressing along the hero's journey. The elements of abduction and symbolic death / dismemberment are vital trials faced by the hero during his journey, and without facing them, the hero will fail; Luke Skywalker is now ready to take the final steps toward becoming a Jedi Knight.
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During the past year, the Empire, determined to vanquish the Rebel Alliance from the galaxy, has begun construction on a larger and more powerful Death Star. And although their future seems bleak, the Rebel Alliance continues to fight against the oppression and tyranny of the Empire. After allowing Luke Skywalker to escape from his grasp, Darth Vader has continued to scour the galaxy looking for his long lost son. Against his will, he is given a new set of orders from Emperor Palpatine: oversee the timely completion of the new Death Star. Luke Skywalker, continuing to gain power and knowledge in the ways of the Force, has constructed a new lightsaber, and is ready to complete his Jedi training. However, before returning to Dagobah and fulfilling his promise, he vows to rescue his friend, Han Solo, from the clutches of Jabba the Hutt, a crime lord operating on his homeworld of Tatooine. This is no small task, for Jabba's palace holds many dangers, and Luke's plan will involve placing his closest friends, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, and the droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, at great risk.
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During the opening sequences of Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker’s grand rescue mission begins to unfold. Under his guidance, each of his companions establishes their respective positions necessary for the daring rescue of Han Solo. Lando Calrissian, feeling the twinge of guilt at betraying his old friend, undertakes the most dangerous task and establishes himself as a guard in Jabba’s Palace. Luke, seeking an audience with Jabba to bargain for Han’s life, sends the droids, R2-D2 and C-3PO, to the Palace as messengers, and in a measure of good faith, presents them as gifts to the mighty crime lord. Finally, Leia, disguised as the bounty hunter Boushh, brings Chewbacca, clad in chains and cuffs, before Jabba, claiming the bounty on the notorious Wookiee. After Chewbacca is escorted to the palace dungeons, Leia remains in the palace as Jabba throws a celebration in honor of this recent victory. During the middle of the night, Leia returns to the main audience chamber and releases Han from his imprisonment in the frozen carbonite. Although she knows that she will be subsequently captured, her love for Han and her trust in Luke carry her forward: for Luke’s rescue attempt to succeed, Han must be free of the carbonite for a period of time, allowing him to recover from the hibernation sickness he will initially endure. Moments after releasing Han from the carbonite and revealing her true identity, Jabba’s guards confront the heroes: Leia becomes Jabba’s slave, and Han is escorted to the palace dungeons where he is reunited with his faithful first mate, Chewbacca. With all the pieces of his plan now in place, Luke Skywalker returns to Tatooine to rescue his older brother / brother-in-arms Han Solo.
As he approaches Jabba’s palace, Luke is stopped by a pair of Gamorrean guards, who forbid him entrance. Using the Force, Luke pushes the creatures to the wall, casts them to sleep, and continues on his way. As he nears the main audience chamber, Luke encounters Bib Fortuna, the Twi’lek who is Jabba’s majordomo. Again relying on the Force - this time, a Jedi mind trick - he convinces Fortuna to bring him before Jabba; Jabba is most displeased. Luke attempts to bargain for Han’s life and tries the same mind trick to influence Jabba's decision. Unbeknownst to Luke, Jabba is resilient, for the Hutt species is immune to a Jedi’s influence. As negotiations begin to fail, Luke orders Jabba to bring forth Han and Chewbacca. However, before he can continue, Jabba vehemently declines his offer, and bursts into laughter. Although all of Jabba’s denizens mimic their master’s laughter, Luke continues, confident in both his abilities and his friends, and issues Jabba an ultimatum:
“I’m taking Captain Solo and his friends. You can either profit by this, or be destroyed. It’s your choice, but I warn you not to underestimate my powers.”
As the laughter continues to reign around him, Luke realizes that it is time for action. Using the Force, he calls a stray blaster to his hands, but Jabba is seemingly one step ahead of him; he opens a trap door Luke happens to e standing on, sending Luke and a Gamorrean guard into the dungeon below, into yet another dragon battle.
As Luke gathers himself from the sudden fall, a massive gate begins to open, revealing a large and hideous looking predator, a rancor, which slowly approaches its new prey. The rancor quickly devours the Gamorrean guard, and then focuses his attention on Luke. Although weaponless, Luke is not without resources. After a brief scuffle with the creature, Luke spots a doorway on the far side of the chamber, and, passing under the raised gate, dashes toward it. However, the door is sealed. As the rancor turns around and approaches Luke, he realizes his small choice of options has come to an end; against his wishes and as a last resort, his only escape lies in killing the creature. As the rancor passes under the massive gate, Luke, again calling on the Force, throws a small stone into the control box on the far wall, bringing down the gate on the creature's head and crushing it. Watching the course of events from the security of above, Jabba becomes irate. He orders his underlings to gather Luke, as well as Han and Chewbacca, as "They will all suffer for this outrage."
The heroes are brought before Jabba, and C-3PO, now a translator droid in Jabba's audience chamber, reveals their punishment. To match their notoriety, Jabba has decided that his prisoners will be cast into the great Pit of Carkoon and fed to the sarlacc, a creature that slowly digests beings while they are still alive over the course of a thousand years. Although Han, unaware of Luke's true intentions and believing the short-lived rescue attempt to have failed, resigns to defeat, Luke remains calm and confident, and issues a warning: "You should've bargained Jabba. It's the last mistake you'll ever make." Again, Jabba laughs at Luke's forewarning, and orders his underlings to immediately prepare for the executions. Although it appears Luke's rescue plan has failed, everything is only now falling into place: all of his companions will be together, relatively unguarded, in one place, not in the depths of Jabba's palace, but far away in the wastelands of Tatooine, the last place Jabba will be expecting a rescue attempt.
Jabba and his entourage, now including his newest servants, Leia and the droids, make the journey to the Dune Sea aboard his luxurious sail barge, while the prisoners and a small contingent of guards, including the disguised Lando, make the trip on smaller air skiffs. As they approach the Pit of Carkoon, home of the sarlacc, Luke urges Han to "Stay close to Chewie and Lando," so the rescue will be successful. But Han, much like Jabba, doubts Luke's abilities - he has been in a state of hibernation for a year and is unaware of how far Luke has progressed in the ways of the Force - and gives in to defeat. Before they are forced into the sarlacc, Jabba allows his prisoners a last request to beg for mercy. Luke, still calm and confident, issues Jabba a final warning: "Jabba. This is your last chance. Free us, or die." As expected, Jabba roars in laughter, and orders his guards to proceed with the executions.
Deep in concentration, Luke walks to the edge of the skiff's plank, looks towards Lando, salutes, and jumps off the plank. R2-D2, aboard the main deck of the sail barge, sees the signal, and launches Luke's lightsaber, stored in his dome, into the air towards the skiff. As Luke flips back towards the skiff, he retrieves his lightsaber, and chaos reigns. Not expecting a small revolt, Jabba's entire crew is stunned in disbelief, and fails to react immediately. By the time Jabba's guards open fire on the skiff, Luke, with the aid of Lando, has already released Han and Chewbacca from their restraints, and is ready to protect his companions. As Luke clears the skiffs of guards, a stray shot knocks Lando off the skiff and near the sarlacc, and Han and Chewbacca are now forced to rescue him. Luke, knowing he will be the sole target of enemy fire, jumps to the sail barge, for he now needs to rescue Leia. However, during the erupting chaos, Leia has managed to strangle a distracted Jabba and free herself, and is in little need of rescuing. Luke, now protecting Leia from enemy fire, informs her to aim the main deck guns on the deck itself. As Leia fires the massive weapons, Luke grabs her, and they swing to the safety of the nearby skiff, now commandeered by Lando, Han, and Chewbacca. Once aboard the skiff, the heroes retrieve the droids, who managed to fall into the sand below, and as they flee the Dune Sea, Jabba's sail barge explodes to pieces. With the success of his dangerous rescue attempt, Luke has now gained the confidence and complete trust of his friends, but more importantly, Han, the perennial doubter, now sees Luke as a leader; it was Luke, least likely in Han's mind, that saved Han from abduction. As his companions return to the assembling Rebel Alliance fleet, Luke Skywalker returns to Dagobah, for he is now ready to fulfill his promise to Yoda, and complete his training as a Jedi.
As Luke enters the Dagobah system, he is eagerly anticipating his reunion with Yoda, his friend and mentor. As he returns to Yoda's small home, he is startled and surprised to see that Yoda is slower and weaker than he remembers, and now has a great difficulty simply moving and speaking. Despite his great age of 900 years, the past year has had a terrible effect on Yoda, but nevertheless, he continues to offer wisdom to his maturing pupil, and reveals further truth about the Skywalker family:
"Sick have I become... old and weak. Soon, will I rest... yes... forever sleep."
"Master Yoda, you can't die."
"Strong am I with the Force, but not that strong. Twilight is upon me, and soon, night must fall. That is the ways of things. The way of the Force."
"But I need your help. I've come back to complete the training."
"No more training do you require. Already know you that what you need."
"Then I am a Jedi."
"No... not yet... one thing remains. Vader. You must confront Vader. Then, only then, a Jedi will you be. And confront him you will."
"Master Yoda, is Darth Vader my father?"
"Rest I need. Yes, rest..."
"Yoda, I must know."
"Your father is. Told you did he?"
"Yes."
"Unexpected this is... and unfortunate."
"Unfortunate that I know the truth?"
"No. Unfortunate that you rushed to face him. That incomplete was your training. That not ready for the burden were you."
"I'm sorry."
"Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The Dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. Luke... Luke... do not... do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your father's fate, you will. Luke... when gone am I, the last of the Jedi will you be. The Force runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned. Luke... there... is... a... nother... Sky... walk... er..."
As Yoda gasps out his final words, his body vanishes before Luke's eyes, and Luke is left alone, trying to comprehend the meaning and responsibility implied in Yoda's last words. Luke, thinking himself a Jedi, now realizes that he is not yet a Jedi; for him to ascend to the ranks of a true Jedi, he must confront Darth Vader, his father, one last time, and his emotions are conflicted. Suffering the loss of another mentor, he walks out of the small house, and approaches R2-D2. He mutters to his droid, "I can't do it, R2. I can't go on alone." As R2-D2 beeps a steadfast reply, the apparition of Obi-Wan Kenobi returns to his old student:
"Yoda will always be with you."
"Obi-Wan? Why didn't you tell me? You told me Vader betrayed and murdered my father."
"Your father was seduced by the Dark side of the Force. He ceased to be Anakin Skywalker, and became Darth Vader. When that happened, the good man who was your father was destroyed. So, what I told you was true, from a certain point of view."
"A certain point of view?"
"Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view. Anakin was a good friend. When I first knew him, your father was already a great pilot, but I was amazed how strongly the Force was with him. I took it upon myself to train him as a Jedi. I thought I could instruct him just as well as Yoda. I was wrong."
"There is still good in him."
"He's more machine now than man, twisted and evil."
"I can't do it Ben."
"You cannot escape your destiny. You must face Darth Vader again."
"I can't kill my own father."
"Then the Emperor has already won. You were our only hope."
"Yoda spoke of another."
"The other he spoke of was your twin sister."
"But I have no sister."
"To protect you both from the Emperor, you were hidden from your father when you were born. The Emperor knew as I did, if Anakin were to have any offspring, they would be a threat to him. That is the reason why your sister remains safely anonymous."
"Leia... Leia's my sister."
"Your inside serves you well. Bury your feelings deep down, Luke. They do you credit, but they could be made to serve the Emperor."
This meeting with Obi-Wan is perhaps the most important, for Luke learns, for the first time, the entire truth about his father. Additionally, he learns the true identity of Leia, and this knowledge rationalizes and strengthens the sacred marriage between them. As Luke begins to comprehend both Yoda's and Obi-Wan's words, his emotions, dictated by this knowledge, finally reach a level of peace; it is here that Luke Skywalker makes a vital decision on his future journey. He no longer seeks to destroy Darth Vader, as his feelings will not allow him to kill his own father; by reaching out to the small part of Anakin Skywalker that is buried deep within the black armor of Darth Vader, his goal now is to save his father from the Dark side, before it consumes him completely.
Luke leaves the Dagobah system behind him, and arrives at the rendezvous point of the fully assembled Rebel Alliance. From their extensive network of Bothan spies, Rebel High Command has learned key parts of the Empire's latest plans: the weapons system of the new Death Star is not yet operational, a shield generator on the nearby forest moon of Endor protects the defenseless battle station, and most importantly, Emperor Palpatine is personally overseeing the final stages of its construction. With this information gathered, the Rebel Alliance is preparing to launch a final strike against the Empire; they will hold nothing back as they attempt to destroy Palpatine and his Empire. Lando Calrissian, like Han, is now a general in the Alliance, and volunteers to lead the starfighter assault on the Death Star. He will be piloting the Millennium Falcon, as Han will not participate in the starfighter assault; he has assembled a strike team that will pilot a stolen Imperial shuttle, land on Endor's moon, and disable the shield generator, making the Rebel Alliance's starfighter attack possible. Chewbacca, Leia, Luke, and the droids join Han as the command crew for this dangerous but critical mission. Facing their final and most dangerous mission, the companions set forth together.
As the stolen Imperial Lambda-class Shuttle, Tyderium, approaches Endor's moon, they are momentarily startled; a large Imperial fleet, headed by the Executor, is in orbit around the space station. As they transmit their stolen security clearance codes, Luke, clearly troubled, mutters, "Vader's on that ship." Although Han and Chewbacca try to convince Luke that there are dozens of Imperial command ships, Luke senses the presence of his father through the Force, even at this great distance. Realizing his father can also sense his presence, Luke believes he is endangering the mission more than helping, but his worries are interrupted by an Imperial communication granting the shuttle permission to land on the forest moon below. Although somewhat jittery, the rebel crew proceeds with their mission, and lands near the outskirts of the Imperial base and shield generator.
As the crew and the strike team disembark from the Tyderium, Han and Chewbacca, having done various covert operations throughout their smuggling past, decide to sneak into the Imperial base, while the others wait behind. As the duo stealthily approach the entrance, Han inadvertently steps on a twig, revealing their positions and alerting the nearby Imperial Scout Troopers. While Han engages in a fistfight with one scout, his partner jumps on a speeder bike that is quickly destroyed by Chewbacca's sharp-shooting. However, more scouts on speeder bikes appear. Luke and Leia jump on a nearby speeder bike and give chase to the remaining scouts; if the scouts escape, the entire Imperial base will learn of the strike team's presence, and the mission will result in a failure. As they near the first scout, Luke jumps on to his speeder bike and overpowers him. As they continue to trail the lone remaining scout, they pass a checkpoint, and two additional scouts chase them. Leia continues the chase, and Luke falls back to deal with the new pair of scouts. As Leia and the scout race side by side, the scout destroys her speeder bike, and sends her to the ground; as he celebrates his victory, he crashes into a nearby tree. Meanwhile, Luke easily defeats his pair of scouts, and heads back to the strike team's staging area, assuming Leia will do the same.
However, Luke is unaware that Leia has encountered a native, an Ewok named Wicket, and has been taken to their village. Since Leia has failed to return, Han, Chewbacca, Luke and the droids set out to search for her, ordering the strike team to hold their current positions. After a quick search, the group comes across Leia's helmet and a wrecked speeder, and fears the worst. Continuing their search, the heroes find themselves ensnared in a trap, and are soon surrounded by numerous Ewoks. Although Han is ready to overtake the primitive aliens, Luke assures him that there is no need for violence, and that everything will be fine; reluctantly, Han agrees. As the natives begin to escort their new prisoners back to their village, C-3PO rises from the ground, causing all of the Ewoks to drop to the ground; for one reason or another, they believe him to be a god.
Once back in the village, the heroes learn, through C-3PO's translations, that they are to be cooked and served as a main course in the honor of C-3PO. As Han and Luke begin to protest, they are taken by surprise. Leia, now in the graces of the Ewoks, appears and tries to help her friends. C-3PO also tries to intervene, but despite his status as a deity, the Ewoks refuse to listen. As the Ewoks ready their fire, Luke calmly exclaims, "Threepio, tell them that if they don't do as you wish, you will become angry, and use your magic." Although baffled at his master's request, C-3PO nevertheless obeys. As he relates his demand to the Ewoks, they ignore him, and continue to prepare their meal. As he continues to protest, Luke concentrates on the Force, and levitates and moves C-3PO across the crowd. Shocked and startled, the Ewoks hastily release the heroes, and soon after, make them honorary members of their tribe. C-3PO tells the tribe of the strike team's plight and mission, and soon after, the Ewoks, who have grown disturbed with the increasing Imperial presence near their village, agree to help the strike team. Before setting out for battle, however, the Ewoks throw a celebration honoring the newly formed alliance. During this celebration, Luke, clearly troubled, walks to the edge of the village, and is confronted by Leia:
"Luke, what's wrong?"
"Leia... Do you remember your mother? Your real mother?"
"Just a little bit. She died when I was very young."
"What do you remember?"
"Just images really. Feelings."
"Tell me."
"She was very beautiful, kind, but... sad. Why are you asking me this?"