Character Analysis
Class President, Best Hair, and Most Likely to Succeed
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a squeaky clean, evil-fighting machine. He's like a Jedi Mary Poppins because he's perfect in every way. He's a super talented, moral, giant lizard-riding warrior who doesn't seem to ever be tempted by the lure of the dark side.
If he weren't so freakin' great, we'd hate him.
Which brings us to Obi-Wan's role in this movie: to basically be everything that Anakin is not.
Where Anakin is dark and surly, Obi-Wan is bright and lighthearted, joking about R2-D2's ineptitude and entering battle with a grin on his adorable bearded face. Anakin battles his inner doubts and hidden rage, while Obi-Wan takes pride in knowing that he's exactly where he should be. The young apprentice thinks that he's above the rules associated with the Jedi way of life, whereas Master Kenobi thrives by operating within the system. Anakin is prideful and ambitious; Obi-Wan is patient and gracious.
You get the picture.
His innate goodness and Anakin's darkness are brought into stark relief during their last battle on the fiery planet of Mustafar. Obi-Wan is crying tears of rage as he yells:
OBI-WAN: 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.
His disappointment at his apprentice's betrayal is palpable. It's almost like watching an innocent child learn for the first time that Santa isn't real or that the Easter Bunny doesn't lay chocolate eggs.
We wish that Obi-Wan could've developed a bit more depth in this movie … if only because Obi-Wan is just so dang great. And yet, his slim onscreen presence sets up the next three episodes perfectly. Who else would volunteer to live in solitude for the rest of his life, watching over an infant from afar, but the good, noble, and selfless Obi-Wan Kenobi?
Obi-Wan Kenobi's Timeline