Sophomore Year: Star Wars Research Paper

Star Wars is a famous movie series that was written by George Lucas. The films take place in an unknown galaxy across a number of different fictional worlds. The Star Wars series is composed of the original trilogy as well as three prequels. A set of three sequels to the original trilogy is also in the making. The movies have inspired an extensive amount of other media including books, comic books, videogames, and television shows. In the Star Wars films, deeper development of essential characters as well as the plot is heavily dependent on archetypal elements.

 

Before one can discern the archetypes of certain characters of the series, he or she must have an understanding of what an archetypal analysis is. The approach attempts to view stories as myths containing recurring archetypes. These archetypes serve as models for reproduction, such as the classic hero. There are a number of different archetypes, including the previously mentioned hero, the villain, the outcast, and more. The approach was created and developed by Carl Jung who believed these archetypes were a product of what he called the “collective unconscious.” This he believed was the shared knowledge and experience of mankind’s ancestors that had been passed down. Jung believed it to not only be a part of literature, but relevant to everyday life, stating in his book, The Structure of the Psyche: All the most powerful ideas in history go back to archetypes, This is particularly true of religious ideas, but the central concepts of science, philosophy, and ethics are no exception to this rule. In their present form they are variants of archetypal ideas created by consciously applying and adapting these ideas to reality. (Cherry)

 

Besides archetypal characters, there are archetypal situations and symbols. The quest of a hero is a common occurrence and often follows a similar pattern of peril with a final triumph. Archetypal symbols often contrast with each other, such as water representing life, while the desert is a symbol of emptiness and void of life. These ideas of archetypes were expanded upon by Joseph Campbell who focused on similarities in religion and mythology.

 

Through his work in comparing different stories and religions, Joseph Campbell developed his explanation of what he called the “monomyth.” The monomyth identifies that all of these stories follow an essentially identical pattern. He breaks down this pattern, which deals with the hero’s journey, into three parts. The first part is the departure, followed by the initiation, and rounded off with the return. Campbell wrote about the monomyth in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. George Lucas used this book to help him in writing the script for Star Wars (Brennan). Lucas was then able to incorporate a number of archetypal elements into the original movie, and later the rest of the series.

 

Perhaps the most vital element of the plot is the inclusion of the archetypal situation of the fight between good and evil. Lucas incorporates good and evil into the films through the Force as well the outside struggles of different factions. The Force is balanced by two sides that are constantly at odds in an apparent black and white battle. The light side is the obvious representation of good while the dark side represents evil. The struggle between the light side and the dark side is a yin and yang situation in which neither side is made out to be more powerful than the other (Greydanus). Despite this, a clear distinction is made between the two sides, and the lure of the dark side is seen to be irresistible as one gets pulled closer in, a reference to the archetypal symbolism of darkness as despair. The balance of the Force is also a vital part of the plot, referenced by Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, “You were the chosen one! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. You were to bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness.” (Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith). Additional factions are also pitted against each other in the fight between good and evil. In the prequels, the Republic is the inherently good party while the Confederacy represents evil. The same can be said about the Rebels and the Empire in the original trilogy. The Rebels are in an overwhelmingly difficult war and must overcome tremendous disadvantages to defeat the mighty and evil Empire. Although the battle between good and evil is apparent, Star Wars is not simply a tale of these two sides.

 

Star Wars incorporates Anakin Skywalker and his other identity, Darth Vader, into the story as a hero’s tragic fall. Anakin first appears in the series as a young boy on his home world of Tatooine. One soon learns that Anakin has immense potential and will eventually be labeled as the Chosen One. Anakin can be observed as adventurous and unafraid of danger through his podracing. Anakin’s heroic journey begins after his departure from home in order to go train to become a Jedi. Anakin goes through his training, being brought up as a Jedi and a man of peace and order. It becomes apparent that Anakin lacks emotional discipline, a concept that is stressed greatly by the Jedi. Not only does he lack discipline, he also appears to have emotional instability and displays signs of borderline personality disorder as well as a variety of several other psychological disorders (Dotinga). Anakin acts out of anger and hatred, slaughtering the sand people that kidnapped his mother and also later experiencing the other extreme - and forbidden - emotion, love.

 

Anakin falls for Padme Amidala, a situation that later influences his fall to the dark side due to his desire to protect her. Anakin also is shown as arrogant and overconfident in both his current and potential power. He comes to see out the confrontation of Chancellor Palpatine even though Mace Windu specifically implores him not to. Anakin rescues the Chancellor from certain death, and it is at this point his fall occurs. Anakin kills Windu and assumes the place by Palpatine’s side as his apprentice, Darth Vader. Anakin’s fall is a loss of innocence as a guardian of the light into the transition of a Sith and a master of the dark side.

 

Before Anakin’s transition can be complete, he must undergo some sort of drastic change. This is achieved by taking advantage of the common archetypal situation of nature versus machine. Vader is drastically disfigured and loses multiple limbs in a confrontation with his former master, Obi Wan Kenobi, near the end of the film, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. He loses his ability to live naturally, descending into darkness as a mechanically dependent individual, disconnected from human life (Hill).

 

Vader possesses a unique archetypal role in that not only is he a fallen hero, but he is also a villain with inherent goodness inside of him. This role allows Vader to be developed as a formidable, intelligent, and powerful opponent before finally transitioning back into a noble and righteous individual by saving his son, Luke, and killing the Emperor. Despite deep, and coherent development of Anakin, his quest is not the only significant hero’s journey present in the film series.

 

Anakin’s son Luke Skywalker also embarks on a heroic quest during part of the Star Wars series. Luke is born, along with his twin sister Leia, at the end of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Their mother Padme dies during childbirth, and the twins are also separated for their own safety. Luke is taken to live with relatives on Anakin’s home planet of Tatooine. Luke grows up with his aunt and uncle, while Obi Wan remains close by. Luke soon becomes involved in a journey that is structured in the way of the classic monomyth.

 

Luke’s journey begins in the departure stage of the monomyth. Luke is asked by Obi-Wan to accompany him to Alderaan as well as to learn the ways of the force. Luke initially refuses this call, saying that he has work to do, and he needs to return home. Luke, Obi-Wan and the two droids come across the giant sandcrawler belonging to the jawas that sold the droids to Luke. They see that it has been attacked, and Obi-Wan informs them that it could only have been done by Imperial stormtroopers. Luke comes to a sudden realization and races back home. He finds his home has been burned and destroyed. Luke searches frantically for his aunt and uncle, ultimately finding their smoldering remains. He then accepts the call to adventure, making the decision to leave with Obi-Wan, the wise old man that brings supernatural aid and attempts to teach these powers to Luke.

 

The next stage of Luke’s journey is the initiation, and it is to be long and difficult, filled with many trials and challenges. Luke’s first major obstacle is figuring out a way to escape the Death Star and then later destroy it. He is also forced to overcome the loss of Obi-Wan and must continue without his wisdom.

 

Luke’s perils continue in the The Empire Strikes Back, immediately having to deal with being taken by a wampa, nearly freezing to death, and an Imperial attack on the Rebel base on Hoth. His next trial is the training he endures with Yoda. Although beneficial, the training is difficult and is incomplete when he leaves to try to rescue Han Solo and the others. Luke encounters Vader and is utterly defeated in their duel. Luke also loses his hand and learns Vader is his father in the process. Luke’s resolve is tested in how he responds to this new knowledge as well as Vader tempting him to join the dark side. Luke resists and is rescued by Leia as he dangles on the edge of life and death.

 

Luke is presented with his greatest trial in the final film of the saga. After turning himself in to the Empire, Luke is challenged by himself in the sense that he must overcome his emotions in his second duel with Vader as well as once again resist the temptations of the dark side. Luke acts in anger striking at Vader who speaks about turning Leia to the dark side. Luke severs his father’s hand and looks on with terror as he makes the connection between himself and his father (Biography). He realizes he is on the brink of falling to the dark side as Anakin once did. Luke casts away his saber, establishing himself as a Jedi and prevailing over his final challenge (Biography). Vader in turn saves Luke’s life as the Emperor electrocutes him. Luke then comes to experience atonement with his father, another one of the possible major elements of the monomyth. Luke’s road of perils and challenges also ends upon the death of the Emperor and the destruction of the second Death Star which follows shortly after, concluding the initiation stage of his journey. His journey is then finished as the final stage of the monomyth is complete with his newly free ability to live as he wishes and bestow his knowledge on others.

 

Throughout the original trilogy, Luke develops in a way that parallels Anakin in the prequels. Luke is the adventurous young man his father once was, seeking to make something more of himself than being a simple farmer on Tatooine.  Also, Luke and Anakin are both trained by Obi-Wan as well as begin relatively old for Jedi standards when their training begins. Both characters are also similar in emotional aspects, influencing many of their decisions and actions, such as rushing to save loved ones in danger. Both characters also lose a hand in a lightsaber duel. Vader loses his again when fighting Luke, and it is here the major distinction between the two can be made. While Anakin gives in to anger and revenge multiple times during the films, Luke remains clear-headed and avoids the temptations of the dark side, establishing himself as a Jedi with the determination to serve the light (Twitchell).

 

Obi-Wan Kenobi is another major archetypal character present in Star Wars. He is also instrumental to the story, appearing in all six of the movies. Kenobi’s timeline in the saga takes him from a young man and padawan all the way until beyond his death, as he appears as a specter. He demonstrates that he is proficient in combat and with the Force, defeating opponents such as Darth Maul and serving in the Clone Wars. Very early in the series Kenobi extends his leadership role to be Anakin’s mentor. His relationship with Anakin is better described as big brother-little brother, seen by the powerful moment in which Obi-Wan says, “You were my brother Anakin. I loved you.” (Lucas). Obi-Wan fails to keep Anakin on the right path, but he later becomes a mentor yet again, as well as a wise old man, passing his knowledge and judgment on to Luke during both life and death.

 

Yoda is another character that represents the classic wise old man archetype. Yoda demonstrates his wisdom and deeper understanding of situations throughout the saga, remaining relatively unchanged as a character once his archetype is established. He also displays strength and capability in physical combat, fighting both Count Dooku and Emperor Palpatine. Yoda later directly trains Luke as his second mentor, passing knowledge of the Force on to the hopeful Jedi. The Jedi Master also demonstrates other archetypal roles as well, such as the trickster (Lopez). Yoda doesn’t initially tell Luke that he is Yoda in order to test Luke’s patience. Yoda also represents the mother archetype, living in the swamp surrounded by natural elements, including his own home (Brunn).

 

Directly contrasting Yoda is Palpatine who occupies a devil persona archetype. Palpatine is the clear figure of evil in the films, and his actions are rooted in biblical stories. He portrays the antichrist, rising to power during the crisis created by the Trade Federation. He is hailed as supposedly great, honest, and moral leader while secretly being the cause of the blockade. Palpatine also takes measures to ensure his power while also attempting to plunge the galaxy into a civil war. He succeeds in creating a war in which he controls both sides, the Separatists and the Republic. His evil continues to rise with the extermination of the Jedi using Order 66. Palpatine can also be seen as Satan in the way in which he tempts Anakin with the knowledge of preventing death, similar to when Satan is said to have tempted Adam with forbidden knowledge. Palpatine remains this evil, devilish ruler of the galaxy until cast down the reactor shaft in a similar fashion to Lucifer’s plunge into the pit (Keko).

 

Han Solo is the classic anti-hero of Star Wars. Han is fiercely independent, working as a smuggler and initially unconcerned by the affairs of the Rebels. Han’s independence is directly visible in his name, Solo, which references his self-reliance and lack of companionship, aside from his loyal Wookie companion Chewbacca (Lopez). Han’s loyalty is immediately called into question after receiving his money and leaving before the attack on the Death Star. Han however returns to save Luke from Vader and help ensure the destruction of the first Death Star. Han continues to display his arrogant, carefree, reckless attitude throughout the original trilogy while simultaneously maturing and learning to be more concerned about others. Ultimately, Han becomes an accomplished Rebel general as well as Leia’s love interest, concluding his journey from self-reliance to one who can place others before himself (Lopez).

 

Leia is yet another character that fills multiple archetypal roles. Leia is originally the typical damsel in distress, but upon being released, she proves to be very atypical. After being rescued, Leia establishes herself as woman warrior during the group’s escape from the Death Star (Lopez). She goes on to establish herself as an archetypal mother, offering support and guidance to Luke as well as taking a leadership role in the Rebel Alliance. As Luke’s twin, Leia also represents the feminine part of his character, and this unification shows a completion of their characters (Brunn). This female element represented by Leia is known as the anima (Cherry). Lastly, Leia serves as Han’s lover, completing her broad archetypal roles.

 

Lucas is able to create a cohesive and deeper story by incorporating archetypal elements into both the characters and the plot. The Star Wars story is both a hero’s journey and a constant struggle of good and evil. Beyond the heroes Anakin and Luke, many other characters also fall into archetypes. In many cases Lucas provides these characters with multiple archetypes, adding to their depth and importance. Once fitted with a basic archetype or multiple archetypes, Lucas is then able to provide characters with additional development, adding a sound level of realism to the fantastical universe he has created.