Despite the several centuries that separate them, both Star Wars and the Arthurian legends share a good number of wonderful examples of mythological lore. The fascinating adventures, heroes, villains, and lessons featured in both contain timeless topics such as honor, chivalry, and the never-ending battle of good against evil. In showcasing these topics, they teach the audience valuable lessons concerning life and morality; in a sense, they assist in the process of maturity and shaping of one's conscience and personality. Arthur and Luke depict both supernatural and human qualities, of which the fabulous ones often take center stage in order to highlight their deeds. Their supernatural qualities, however, should not overshadow their human ones, since they are both important. Nowhere is this as evident as in the main characters', Luke Skywalker and King Arthur, dependence on ancient, venerable mentors to become adequate heroes. Obi-Wan Kenobi , Yoda , and Merlin are entrusted with the responsibility of leading the "chosen ones," on their path to maturity, a necessity before becoming true heroes.
This hypermedia project will highlight the similarities between the figures of Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Merlin, showcasing their roles from mentors to surrogate fathers, and discuss their importance in the maturity process of Luke and Arthur. It will also analyze the paths the heroes take after their spiritual guides complete their training, examining the causes and effects of their departure in relation to Luke's and Arthur's endeavors. It will conclude by demonstrating how Luke and Arthur, along with their respective mentors, highlight the importance of the maturity process, essential to everyone's life, not just the heroes'.
Joseph Campbell's influential treatise, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, is quite a classic cross-cultural study that analyzes the presence of common mythological themes in various cultures. He devotes a section of his book to the topic of "supernatural aid," discussing the role of the mentor in the maturity process of the hero. "The first encounter of the hero's journey," Campbell writes, "is with a protective figure (often a little old crone or old man) who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass" (Campbell, 69). Neither Luke nor Arthur actually battles a dragon, obviously, but they do wrestle dark enemies throughout their quests. And thanks to their sorcerer-like mentors, they are able to succeed in their endeavors. The fascinating dependence on classical mythological themes is found here, as both stories include the mentor figure that will help the hero in his quest, despite the centuries that separate them.
Both Ben and Merlin give their pupils not only spiritual advice, but also material elements. The weapons with which the heroes must embark on their quests are given by these magician figures. Ben gives Luke his light-saber, and Merlin leads the "once and future king" to the site of his sword Excalibur. These arms possess special significance as well, since the light-saber belonged to Luke's father Anakin, and Excalibur was only to be given to the rightful future ruler of Britain. However, as important as these material devices are, Merlin's and Ben's essential contributions are not weapons, but spiritual guidance and force. Much to the chagrin of the heroes, the sorcerers do not automatically give them power or superior battle aids. Instead, their counsel and sage advice are the best contributions, even if the overzealous heroes-to-be do not instantly realize it. This results from the advanced grade of civilization of Star Wars and the Arthurian legends, as Campbell states that "higher mythologies develop the role in a great figure of the guide, the teacher" (Campbell, 72). Merlin and Ben/Yoda are more than mere weapon-giving characters; their roles are quite complex. The maturity of the leaders and the salvation of the forces of good depend on them, something no sword can achieve by itself.
The spiritual advisors also possess mysterious, supernatural origins that raise concerns among the faithful. Luke's uncles disapprove of his venturing far from the family farm, into the unknown and dangerous wasteland of his planet, Tatooine. Kenobi is mocked by Luke's uncle, who knows about the mentor's Jedi past and attempts to shy Luke away from such elements. This mocking attitude, however, is a conscious desire to divert Luke's attention from his unknown destiny, keeping him in the peaceful, quiet family farm, away from danger. Ben's withdrawal to the arid, desert dunes aids in the elaboration of his personage as a mysterious, supernatural one. Merlin's birth is a topic touched by only a few Arthurian romances. Though no personage cast doubts on the sorcerer's magical powers, the source of such might is a rather taboo topic.
Robert de Boron sheds some light into such an enigma by claiming Merlin to be the offspring of Satan and a common woman. In his Prose Merlin he also states how God takes pity on the child, as He refrains from destroying the demon child. After the future wizard is taken to a council of high priests, they agree to "let the boy, then, decide, which way to turn: to choose the Devil's path or our Lord's!" (Wilhelm/Garland, 309) These complications become an early obstacle for the mentors, but they manage to overcome them. It is quite obvious; their mission is highly important, and petty affairs such as these should not impair their achievement. As one can see, despite their dark backgrounds, both Merlin and Kenobi are true soldiers of good. The presence of evil is but a scare, since their nature and outside sources (Merlin's faith in God, and Ben's use of "the Force") are enough to keep malignancy at bay.
After the weapons are given and the origins are explained, the educational process commences. Merlin stands by Arthur's side, assisting him in several battles and episodes in which the young king must prove his intellect, honor, force, and worthiness. He orchestrates the Arthur phenomenon, as he "[arranges] for Arthur's conception and upbringing" and "[helps] him achieve the throne and [instructs] him in the early days of [his] kingship" (Henderson, 32). Long before Arthur is born, Merlin has already prophesized his rise to the throne of Britain, and his subsequent victory over the Saxons. The sage sorcerer will care for Arthur and prepare him for his destiny until the time comes for the king to walk alone.
Arthur, however, often gets into trouble for not taking Merlin's advice and needs his help to overcome his difficulties. In several battles with stronger enemies, he decides to grapple without realizing his lack of chances, and ends up with the shorter end of the stick. In later narratives, the wise king consults Merlin in every step of the way, following his advice. For the better part of A Hew Hope, Ben Kenobi does the same. From his advice during the beginning stages of the rebellion to his passing at the hands of Darth Vader, he does an admirable job of training the young Skywalker, exhorting him to avoid the times in which the dark side of the force will try to seduce him. Ben has fulfilled his task, grooming Luke to become a hero in the traditional sense of the word. Much like Arthur becomes independent of Merlin once he enters adulthood, Luke must live without Ben's presence in the material world. When his material death is finally staged, Luke feels grave grief and anger, only later calmed by his realization that despite his death, Ben would always remain with him--in force and spirit.
Luke's training is then passed to Yoda. Also a great Jedi--despite his size--the green creature displays great patience in the molding of a still immature Luke into a great knight. The farm boy-turned-hero, however, manages to irritate his mentor, who chides Luke's lack of patience and overzealousness. Common traits of the young hero, they are partially overcome with the help of Obi-Wan from beyond the grave, but the one person who must play the biggest role in the maturity process is Luke himself. Yoda and Obi-Wan can assist him, but up to a certain point. The success of the maturity process resides in himself; he must truly dedicate his mind and body to the achievement of adulthood. Aided by Obi-Wan's spirit, Yoda succeeds in transforming Skywalker into a mature leader/hero. While Merlin is successful in converting Arthur into a sage ruler, he is unable to prevent his demise. The destruction of Arthur by his own son occurs exactly as the wizard had predicted. It must be noted, however, that the Celtic bard was able to predict the future, but could not change it. Yet one cannot help but wonder, if Merlin had had such powers, could Arthur's life be spared. But, it is useless to conjecture such endings, since the mentor can only stay with the hero in the material world for a set amount of time, and Arthur was a mere mortal, unable to escape death. Therefore, it is imperative that the knight learn his lesson while his guide remains with him. Once the spiritual advisor moves on, his influence will not be as great, having to rely instead on trusting he/she had done his/her best shaping the hero's psyche.
By the time the third installment in the series, The Return of the Jedi, is presented, Luke can no longer count on the physical presence of Ben or Yoda. Instead, their spiritual guidance is highlighted, as they remind Luke of the power within him and the ways of the Jedi knights. During the difficult moments of the Rebel struggle, his battle with his father, and the final confrontation with the evil, dark Emperor, Luke neither despairs nor feels abandoned. The presence of the mentors is powerful and omnipresent, as shown in the last scene of the movie depicts Yoda, Ben, and a smiling Anakin Skywalker looking warmly on the victorious Rebel Forces, especially on Luke.
The Arthurian legends and the Star Wars trilogy have been studied from a didactic perspective. The conclusions below, although drawing heavily from Campbell, include Star Wars in their analysis, proving the connection and similarities are striking, especially in the topic of the sage mentor and advisor. Heroes must be humble and undergo a maturity process before they are able to fulfil their destiny. Despite their superior qualities, they are still human, and as such, must mature before they are able to meet their challenges and embark in their adventures. These mentors can assist the heroes in their quest, but up to a certain point. The time will come when the guiding figure can no longer stand by the hero's side. However, the sorcerer/wizard will continue to be with the hero during the remainder of the quest, although in a spiritual sense. If the lessons have been learned correctly, the spiritual presence will be enough. If otherwise, the hero will fail his quest, and allow his enemies or the forces of evil to prevail. But in epic legends such as these, one can be sure that the mentor's advice will be followed and the lessons will be learned. There is simply too much at stake--good's prevalence over evil.
The Arthurian legends and Star Wars both draw from common, universal mythological elements. Among the similarities, the figures of Merlin, Obi-Wan, and Yoda can be pinpointed as recurring characters that represent mentor-like figures that assist the heroes in their task. Their mission is essential, since they provide the means, lessons, and advice necessary for the knights to become full-fledged, mature heroes. But, as seen with Arthur and Luke, the warriors' physical dependence on these sorcerers must come to a close in order to fully reach their potential. Spiritual guidance, thus, becomes the avenue of choice, but the knights must also do their part. Luke Skywalker learns to fully utilize the provided instruction, and as a result, successfully fulfills his mission.
Quite possibly, the most enthralling aspect of these narratives is their consistency. As Campbell states, the recurring aspects can be found in almost every cultural and mythological legend. Their relevance is not solely relegated to mere folklore, though. Politicians surround themselves with elder statesmen in their cabinet, and other figures of power do the same. The essential nature of sage mentors is thus found in everyday life, proving once again the necessity of a maturity process in every person--not just the heroes.
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