As two of the most popular characters in Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi have left a lasting impression on fans, and both have been at the center of stories throughout the Star Wars franchise. In this blog post, we'll delve into the emotional twists and turns of Anakin Skywalker's feelings for Obi-Wan Kenobi, exploring how this pivotal relationship shaped both of their fates.
Anakin's Early Admiration for Obi-Wan
Early Anakin's view of Obi-Wan was that he held the mentor in the highest regard. As a young boy growing up in Tatooine slavery, Anakin never met his true father. Before Qui-Gon Jinn came into his life, he had a deep connection and bond with his mother, Schmi Skywalker. When Qui-Gon was killed by Darth Maul, Obi-Wan assumed the role of mentor, determined to fulfill his master's dying wish by training Anakin as a Jedi.
Because the identity of Anakin's father was a mystery, no one knew who his father was, not even Anakin himself, and many speculated that Anakin did not have a father because, as a child of prophecy, he was himself born of the Force. Because of his lack of a father, Anakin has always been very eager for his father's existence, and Anakin not only recognizes Obi-Wan as a mentor, but even identifies him as a father. Anakin was full of respect for Obi-Wan and longed to constantly improve his strength and prove his worth as a Jedi, hoping that he would be recognized by Obi-Wan.
But as Anakin grew older and stronger in the Force, his thoughts began to clash with Obi-Wan. Anakin's admiration for Obi-Wan is undoubtedly sincere, but complicated by his own insecurities. His desire to prove himself, to be something more than the most powerful Jedi, is a burden that often leaves Anakin feeling alone, but at the same time, Obi-Wan is not able to understand Anakin's thoughts or comfort him, which sets the stage for a break between the two of them.
Obi-Wan's influence on Anakin is undeniable. Anakin's early admiration for Obi-Wan, which he honored, was the wonderful qualities embodied in his Master. However, over time, this admiration becomes a source of conflict within Anakin.
The beginning of the transformation of Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship
The Clone Wars were a major turning point in the relationship between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The two men, who once respected each other, began to break down under tremendous pressure. As the conflict sweeps across the galaxy, both Anakin and Obi-Wan are thrust into increasingly difficult positions. Anakin, with his exceptional combat skills and leadership abilities, quickly became a war hero. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, has always been a dedicated Jedi, always committed to the principles of the Jedi Creed, and it is this adherence to tradition that puts him at odds with Anakin.
In addition, his sense of inner turmoil was exacerbated by his secret marriage to Padme Amidala, a relationship that violated the Jedi Creed and had to be kept secret from everyone, including Obi-Wan, which made him feel as though he had no one around him that he could truly trust.
The once strong bond between Anakin and Obi-Wan began to weaken as he began to see Obi-Wan less as a mentor and more as a representative of the Jedi Council, and the trust that had existed between them gradually eroded as he felt that Obi-Wan was more concerned with complying with the Council's directives than supporting him as a friend.
The conflict between Anakin and Obi-Wan
The duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi on the planet Mustafar is one of the most exciting moments in the Star Wars saga, a battle in which the teacher-student relationship reaches the peak of conflict.
Anakin's fear of losing Padme and being manipulated by Palpatine led him to make a choice, and he betrayed the Jedi Order. When Anakin confronts Obi-Wan on the planet Mustafar, his thoughts are clouded by the Dark Side. For Anakin, Obi-Wan was no longer his mentor, but an obstacle to be removed.
Obi-Wan met the duel with a heavy heart, an emotional pressure that was almost too much for Obi-Wan to bear. He saw Anakin's potential and invested years of his life in helping him grow as a Jedi. To see Anakin fall to the dark side and become Darth Vader was devastating. For Obi-Wan, a duel was not the fight he wanted. But he was driven by a sense of duty to stop Anakin's atrocities.
The duel was the fight that marked the final severance of his connection to the Light Side for Anakin, and his hatred for Obi-Wan drove his transformation to Darth Vader. For Obi-Wan, the duel was a tragic end to one of the most important relationships of his life. Despite his efforts to save Anakin, he ultimately had to face the painful truth that his friend had left him, and in his place was a Sith Lord consumed by darkness. Mustafar's duel is more than just a lightsaber battle; it's a confrontation between two people who once meant the world to each other.
On Being Darth Vader to Obi-Wan
In his time as Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker's view of Obi-Wan Kenobi was complex, with hatred, anger, regret, and sadness. The Dark Side consumed Anakin and transformed him into Darth Vader, however, underneath the mask, traces of Anakin Skywalker remain, and with them are the memories of having been Obi-Wan. These memories are painful.
Anakin's hatred of Obi-Wan is deeply rooted in their final showdown on Mustafar. Anakin's defeat and disfigurement at the hands of Obi-Wan left him physically injured and mentally traumatized, an event that stirred up anger and resentment, a hatred that has been the driving force in Vader's life for years. He blamed Obi-Wan not only for his physical pain, but also for the loss of Padme and the life he had once imagined.
Anakin knew that his hatred for Obi-Wan was not just based on what had happened to Mustafa. It also stems from the loss of the friendship they once had. Obi-Wan was more than just a mentor to Anakin; he was a father, brother, and friend. Their relationship was one of the most important in Anakin's life, and despite his anger, deep down he grieved the loss of it.
This inner conflict culminates in Darth Vader's last encounter with Obi-Wan on the Death Star. When the two faced each other again, it was a confrontation that had been decades in the making. For Vader, it was a moment of reckoning, a chance to finally confront the man who had once meant so much to him.
When Vader strikes down Obi-Wan, there is no satisfaction - only empty victory. Killing his former master did not bring him the closure he sought. Instead, it reminded him painfully of the irreversible consequences of his actions. In that moment, Vader was forced to face the truth: no matter how much power he wielded, he could never escape the emptiness in his soul. The brotherhood he once shared with Obi-Wan is gone, and with it the last traces of the man he once was.
Conclusion
As you can see, Anakin's opinion of Obi-Wan is complex and evolving, from initial respect to hatred, and perhaps in Anakin's death, he misses the Jedi Master who was also his friend and mentor.
