This essay is from Eric Koch
Published on November 22, 2002

Star Wars as a Modern Myth

• Introduction
• Anakin Skywalker/ Darth Vader
• Obi-Wan Kenobi
• Luke Skywalker
• Peripheral Characters: Han Solo, the Emperor
• Conclusion
• Bibliography

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Peripheral Characters:Han Solo, the Emperor

The supporting characters of the Star Wars saga also all seem to fall into the classical model for supporting characters. Each of the supporting characters support the hero is some way, and at least one point in the films come to the rescue of the reluctant hero, Luke.

Han Solo is the rouge of the characters; his character is rooted deeply in classical style. Han Solo is the renegade wildcard character of the series. Reluctant to help at first, but eventually becomes a hero by his noble and unexpected actions. In the classical style the supporting rouge has a love/hate relationship with the characters of the films and Han Solo is no exception to this rule. Han has choice words for Luke in A New Hope, but comes to respect and Love Luke by the end of the Saga. The same goes for his romance with Princess Leia. At first she is turned off by Han, the renegade rebel, the opposite of what she stands for, but his persistence eventually to the romance between the two²⁹.

The Emperor is the classic embodiment of evil in the series. Beginning in the first Episode and ending in Return of the Jedi, the emperor is pure evil. Not only do we know he is pure evil, but he is draped in black robes and a wrinkled face. The Emperor is the Phantom Menace in the first movie, precipitates his own reign by playing both sides of the Clone Wars between Episode II and III, and eventually makes Anakin pure evil. The Emperor however, has a fatal flaw which is in fact pointed out in the movie by Luke when he confronts the Emperor. The Emperor is gloating about the imminent defeat of the rebels, when Luke declares that "his overconfidence is his weakness." This is his tragic flaw which eventually leads to his own downfall and a completion to the saga. ³⁰

²⁹ "Star Wars Databank." Han Solo. www.starwars.com/databank. Nov 11. 2002.
³⁰ "Star Wars Databank." Emperor Palpatine. www.starwars.com/databank. Nov 11. 2002.

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