Did Yoda go crazy on Degobah?

The first time most of us saw Yoda was in ESB. He was a mischievous and senile little creature. Not the somber and serious Yoda we see in TPM sitting on the Council, or in ROTJ laying on his deathbed. Do you think in those many years of hiding in isolation on the swamp world of Degobah, Yoda began to lose his mental faculties? I don't think it was all an act to "trip Luke out" when he first arrived on the planet in search of a "great Jedi warrior". I think that Yoda's proverbial cheese was beginning to slide off the cracker by that point. Is this true? Or will we see that zany side of Yoda in the upcoming films? Personally, I think Yoda was really starting to lose his mind by the time of ESB, it was Luke that helped to bring things back for him.

 

"When 900 years you reach, look as good, you will not. hmmm?"

 

I think it was an act so Yoda could observe Luke for a few hours, without giving away his identity.

Once Luke knew that the "silly green elf" was in fact a Jedi Master, he would (and did)naturally act differently.

I think Yoda was exercising caution by not revealing his true self from the point of his first meeting, after all, Yoda and the council had failed to prevent Anakin from turning to the dark side.

 

This brings up another good question: Did Yoda know who Luke was right away?
Edit: stupid question, sorry

 

"I think that Yoda's proverbial cheese was beginning to slide off the cracker by that point."

That's a neat way of putting it.

I love the idea of Yoda going loopy, but I think it was just an act.

 

>> Did Yoda know who Luke was right away?

Was Luke's saber visible? Or did Yoda find it while "rummaging for food"?

I can't recall - but that would be a dead giveaway.

And for Luke to crash on a Planet, within walking distance of Yoda's hut - well you gotta conclude Yoda somehow guided the x-wing in.

 

Yoda had been "watching" Luke for a long time before he even got to Degobah. He says this in ESB. He knew who Luke was already. In fact I think he used the Force to help guide Luke to the correct position on Degobah. If he didn't, then how did Luke manage to pick almost the exact spot where Yoda would be on an entire planet? I'm not saying Yoda wasn't that powerful anymore or was stupid. I'm just saying that Yoda had become very eccentric (to put it mildly) by the time Luke arrived. I don't believe his behavior was much of an act. But I think he still knew what he was doing. And he was serious with Luke when the time came.

 

>> Did Yoda know who Luke was right away?

Well, it seems that Obi-Wan and Yoda chat, so I'm sure Kenobi gave Yoda the 411.

 

Well, if you're going senile (ie your brain is dying), you're not going to reverse that just because some guy turns up on your doorstep.

I know Yoda's a bit special, and not human, but I doubt that he's actually gone crazy while in seclusion on Dagobah.

 

But Yoda is dying. He only lasts another year or so after the events of ESB. If Yoda was in his prime (like a young 400 years old) he might have been able to do a little more than just hang out and hope that Luke or Leia showed up someday. Perhaps "senile" isn't the right word to use. How should I put this...his mental state seems to have changed significantly since TPM, where he was already very old for his species. Wouldn't you go a little nutty after sitting by yourself in a swamp for 20 years?

 

I think he's a little off his rocker to some degree, but once Luke comes and the entire issue at hand comes into focus within his mind he goes back to normal..

Normal for Yoda that is.

 

Yoda is a Jedi-Master. I'm sure he's kept his wits about him all those years.

 

There was a very similar thread to this a long time ago, and the general concensus was that Yoda was just putting on an act to test Luke's patience. Obviously, Luke failed.

 

There is nothing in Yoda's manner -- after he reveals his identity -- to suggest that he is any different from the Yoda we see in TPM.

 

I believe Yoda maintained his mental capacity right up until his death. He was expecting Luke, but like someone else mentioned, he wanted to toy around with him for a little bit. That's why when all six films are viewed, Yoda's antics in ESB will be even funnier.


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i would like to know why he looked so different between the 30 year period of TPM til ESB.

The guys 900, what did 30 years do to him to age him so? Eating snakes and living in fear most likely.

 

3417, I always wondered that myself. I know how war had drastically aged Lincoln and FDR, but the toll it took on Yoda was ridiculous. I always thought Yoda in TPM looked too bright-green and young.

Sapient

 

Yoda was indeed testing Luke's paticene. He wanted to see how much work needs to be done. Being a Jedi is serious stuff. That's why Yoda's mannerisms changed. That's why he told Luke and Obi-wan that he didn't want to train Luke, but he had no choice.

As to his appearence, he was beginning to become sick. His long life and the many deeds he has done, have taken it's toll. That's why in the novelization, Luke notes that Yoda looked drained by what he did.

 

Well, maybe not quite off his rocker, but I think Yoda had developed some real eccentricities in his time on Dagobah. Maybe they were always there, he just couldn't let that side of himself show as a leader of the Jedi. As far as the way he looked, like I said before, he knew that his time in the universe was coming to an end, and he looked like it.

 

I agree with Darkwish. If you saw Cast Away, you will remember what extreme isolation can do to someone. I'd have to agree that Yoda probably went a little senile.

Sapient

 

I'm not sure if Yoda was isolated in the classical sense. As he always says, the Force is his ally and it it is all around him. True, he had little verbal interaction with people, the Force was with him always. He still seemed to understand what was going on. Besides, even if he was senile, he recovered pretty rapidly. I beleive that it was also a display of the Light side. A Jedi must have a serious mindset, but he doesn't have to be a stiff. Yoda is allowed to joke around and have fun. I thought the tug of war between him and Artoo was one of the funnier sequences in the movie. "Mine, mine!"

 

Yeah. I know I start to go a little nutty after driving in my car by myself for more than a few hours. Image never seeing another soul for over 20 years. I think the only way Yoda kept true insanity at bay was through deep Force meditations. And the daily tasks of staying alive (like in Cast Away). Although I would agree that the Force is Yoda's constant companion and source of strength, both mentally and physically. Like an isolated Buddhist monk.

 

Yoda became Reverand Jim on Taxi.

 

How long was Yoda on Dagaobah before Luke came there? Since that fact hasn't come to light, if ever, how could anyone come to the conclusion that Yoda was going nuts?

 

I would agree that Yoda had gone around the bend only if it had been established throughout the prequels that he used to use perfect grammar.