Yoda

Overview

Yoda is a Jedi master of an unknown race from the Star Wars universe. Having trained Jedi for more than 500 years, he is considered one of the wisest masters ever to have lived. His video game appearances include most licensed Star Wars games, considering his high fan-popularity and long lifespan. He is one of the most influential fictional movie characters of all time.

Not much is known about Yoda's past nor his species since they are so long lived and so scarce. However, this does not impede Yoda's impact on events in Star Wars. Yoda is a teacher at heart and has taught many, most notably taking Dooku, Ki-Adi-Mundi, and Mace Windu as a Padawan. He also oversees many younglings, who are children who are force-sensitive, and teaches them many ways of the force. Alongside this, he gives advice to almost every single influential character in the Star Wars saga, making him one of the most important characters in the Star Wars franchise.

Impact on the Star Wars Saga

In the prequel trilogies, Yoda is seen as a wise mentor, often at the Jedi temple teaching and giving out advice. In Episode I: The Phantom Menace he gives permission to Obi-Wan Kenobi to train Anakin Skywalker after the death of Qui-Gon Jinn, foreseeing that great trouble will come from the young Anakin. In Episode II: The Attack of the Clones, Yoda takes on his old Padawan, Count Dooku and his combat abilities are seen on screen for the first time throughout the movies. Shown to have the ability to re-direct force lightning and the acrobatics to properly engage anyone in a lightsaber duel, he winds up saving the lives of Anakin and Obi-Wan who are both beaten by Dooku, albeit at the cost of Dooku's escape. Yoda acts as a general throughout the Clone Wars and take parts in many engagements, including the Battle of Kashyyyk Finally, in Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith, Yoda sees the fall of the Jedi Order, after the betrayal of Anakin Skywalker and takes on Darth Sidious in the galactic Senate. The outcome, ultimately deciding the fate o the universe. Sadly, Yoda is beaten and he is forced into exile to Dagobah, and the Galaxy enters an age of Imperialism, ruled under iron fist of Emperor Palpatine, and his apprentice Darth Vader.

Yoda's first a ppearance in the original trilogy is in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, where he acts as a mentor to Luke Skywalker. He is seen teachin g him the ways of the force through rigorous training, albeit reluctantly due to Luke's similar traits to his father, Anakin Skywalker. However, thei r training is cut short as Luke chooses to leave Dagobah in an attempt to save his friends in the cloud city of Bespin. In Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi, Luke returns to the Dagobah system to a Yoda on his death bed. Yoda gives sage advice, and tells Luke that there is another Skywalker. As Yoda begins to die, he fades into oblivion and becomes one with the force. He is later seen, when the Empire is beaten standing next to Anakin Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi as a force ghost.

There is no doubt that Yoda was one of the most powerful and influential members of the Jedi Order. He is even referenced as the life-blood of the Order during the time he was present. He was seen as a very grandfatherly figure who cared for everything. He lived up to 900 years, and still retains his identity in the Force by becoming a Force ghost, essentially achieving a version of immortality.

Over thirty years later, his Force ghost appeared before Luke.

Famous Quotes

• "Do or do not. There is no try."
• "Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you? Hmm? Hmm? And well you should not. For my ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is "
• "When 900 years you reach. Look as good, you will not."
• "Always in motion, is the future."
• “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”
• “Named, must your fear be, before banish it, you can.”
• "The greatest teacher, failure is."
• "We are what they grow beyond."
• "Young Skywalker. Missed you, I have..."