How Did Obi-Wan Defeat Anakin Skywalker in ‘Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith’?
He had the high ground.
The story of Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) is one of the most iconic and heartbreaking tales of friends turned enemies. It is a relationship that will be further explored in the upcoming miniseries, Obi-Wan Kenobi. McGregor first appeared in the Star Wars franchise in The Phantom Menace, alongside a young Anakin (Jake Lloyd). In a surprising turn of events, it falls upon Obi-Wan to take on Anakin as his Jedi apprentice.
As an unusually strong Force-sensitive youth, Obi-Wan believed Anakin to be the Chosen One. A Jedi prophecy foretold the birth of the Chosen One, who would destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force. Hence, Obi-Wan begins training Anakin in the Force and we see him grow into a young man under Obi-Wan’s tutelage. However, by Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones, cracks are beginning to show in their relationship.
Anakin has grown arrogant and impulsive, believing Obi-Wan is holding him back. On top of that, he develops a secret relationship with Padmé Amidala (Natalie Portman). The real fallout though comes in Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. During the course of the film, Anakin is swayed to the dark side by Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). This culminates in a final, heartbreaking fight scene between Obi-Wan and Anakin.
How did Obi-Wan defeat Anakin in Revenge of the Sith?
When Anakin and Obi-Wan face off, Obi-Wan emerges victorious, though he doesn’t quite succeed in killing Anakin. Once Anakin’s turn to the dark side has been uncovered, Obi-Wan sets out to confront Anakin. He utilizes Padmé to find out Anakin’s location, and the two head to Mustafar. Once there, Padmé tries to convince Anakin to leave the dark side, but he refuses. Upon catching a glimpse of Obi-Wan, Anakin flies into a rage and chokes Padmé. This is when Obi-Wan steps in, and the two engage in a lightsaber duel.
The duel ends when Obi-Wan severs Anakin’s legs and left arm. Upon falling near a flow of lava, Anakin is also severely burned. Obi-Wan then picks up Anakin’s lightsaber and leaves him for dead.
The fact that Obi-Wan won was unexpected, considering that Anakin had more power in the Force. However, his victory is easier to understand when one considers his skill level and the different mindsets of Anakin and Obi-Wan.
The problem with Anakin is that he is arrogant to a fault. He overestimates his power and underestimates Obi-Wan, and lowers his guard by going into battle with confidence. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is calm, calculated, and strategic. He is also a master of Form III, also known as Soresu, a form of lightsaber combat that primarily focuses on defensive techniques. Practitioners of this form use defensive tactics and wait until the enemy becomes tired or frustrated to strike.
Obi-Wan knew Anakin through and through and understood his overconfidence and arrogance. He knew Anakin would fight with rage and aggression, while he remained cool and calculated. Pairing his understanding of Anakin with his knowledge of Soresu ultimately gave him the upper hand in the battle.
(featured image: 20th Century Fox)
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