Characters Jedi Master Yoda - Performed By Frank Oz Short in height but quite the opposite in his stature with the force, this wise, long lived Jedi Master ensured the re-birth of a nearly vanished age of Jed Knights. For more than 800 years this little creature trained Jedi's in the ways of the force, but he never met such a challenge than when he met the young, impetuous Luke Skywalker. By the time Luke came to Yoda, he lived in the bogs of the planet of Dagobah and was nearly 900 years old. He walked stooped over, using a gimer stick to help him along. He lived on the things nature gave, eating plants and fungi, and building his home of mud and sticks. Yoda had previously trained Obi Wan Kenobi, when he was also a reckless youth. Yoda's path to Jedi wisdom was unique and simple, but profound. He had his students unlearn what they had been taught, teaching them to be in tune with the world around them and to learn it's truths. When Emperor Palpatine ordered the distraction of all light Jedi's, Yoda went into hiding on Dagobah. He used the force and the planets own natural defences to discourage visitors. But he still kept a keen eye on the twins Luke and Leia, using the force to monitor their growth. When Luke and escaped almost certain death at the hands of the Wampa ice creature of Hoth, he saw a vision of his late Master Kenobi. He told Luke that he must find Yoda on the planet of Dagobah and finish his training. Yoda lectured Skywalker about the force, even as Luke performed rigorous physical and mental exercises. Yoda especially warned Luke of the easy path to the dark side of the force. At one point Yoda instructed Luke to open his mind to memories of old friends, and possibilities of the future. Luke was shocked when he saw a vision of Han Solo and Princess Leia in pain on Cloud City, and he decided to leave Yoda and attempt to rescue his friends. Yoda and the spirit of Kenobi strongly warned Luke that if he was captured by Vader he could destroy all that his friends had fought for, and that he could easily be taken in by the Dark Side. Luke nonetheless decided to leave, promising to return and finish his training. Shortly after the rescue of Han from Jabba the Hutt of Tatooine, Luke did return, but he found the Jedi Master dying. Yoda once again warned Luke of the Dark side, even though he had revealed that Vader was his father and that he had to face him one last time. Finally Yoda breathed his last breath and vanished - becoming one with the force. |
