Obi-Wan using the dark side in TPM

Now I realize he got lucky defeating Darth Maul. But when he saw Qui-Gon go down you see that look on his face, how he wants revenge. Could it be possible he was using his anger (dark side) to defeat him. Sorry if this was mentioned.

 

Yes, he was angry for a bit. I wouldn't say he used the darkside, but this is the closest he ever came in the PT. Notice the aggressive sabre lock that Maul pushes him out of, and down the hole. Using his anger didn't go well for him (or any character, really).
Only after he calms himself and uses his Master's sabre to defeat Maul does he become a Jedi.

 

I agree, when Obi-Wan sees his Master getting killed, he's angry but he's not using the darkside. Maul connected to him through their anger in that last force push.

 

Some Episode I stories have claimed that Obi-Wan used the Dark Side in his final battle against Darth Maul. Personally, I don't want to believe it because that would put a chip on the great Obi-Wan's shoulders. However, I can see why he might have used the Dark Side. If I were in his place, you'd better believe I'd do whatever it took to bring down my father's (or father figure's) killer, even if it meant tapping in to the Dark Side. Afterwords in the Ep I stories, Obi-Wan has gone before another Jedi (usually Yoda), admitted what he did, and was forgiven and proclaimed free of the Dark Side. If you want to believe that to add a little more history to Obi-Wan's character, go right ahead.

 

Well, I don't think that it's that black and white (or dark and light ) Sure, some things are clearly dark side and some aren't, but it's possible to dance near the edge without actually going into what would be considered dark. I think that's what Obi-Wan did - he got close to the dark side, maybe stuck his toe in, but that's all.

 

Why is it everytime someone in Star Wars gets angry ppl always asume they are using the Dark Side?

 

Yeah, I agree, this view is too simplistic. The path to the dark side is Anger, but are a bunch of other emotions that everyone, including Jedi, have. It's just about how they use these emotion. This is the important part.

 

I think every Jedi at some point has to face the dark side as well as their own dark side. Only after they overcome this can they be a true jedi.

I think Obi Wan does become angry and aggressive against Maul. But the key thing to remember is that he lets go of this anger after Maul is dead. Furthermore he doesnt become obsessed by the power he had that enabled him to defeat Maul.

We must all face our fears and know our dark side:

If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

 

Actually, Obi-Wan's anger unbalances him, and it allows Maul to give him that Force-push into the pit. I think it's at that point that Obi-Wan realizes he has to let go of his anger, and he's able to think more clearly about how he's going to extricate himself from his situation. He allowed Maul to get overconfident, so when he sprung from the pit and sliced him in two, he didn't really need to be violent or aggressive, just quick and decisive!

 

well said

Actually, he never experienced any power through his anger. Like I have said before, using his anger just resulted in him getting thrown down that hole. So the temptation was never really there. He never experienced any great advantage from anger. When Anakin defeated/killed Dooku, it was brought about by anger. This is a very important difference.
How can you be tempted by the darkside if getting angry almost get you killed?

heh, I see what you are saying.

This is how it always looked to me. The fact that he calms himself before killing Maul is one of the reasons Yoda can make him a Jedi.

I believe Yoda would sense it if Obi-Wan killed Maul in anger, even if he only senses Obi-Wan's guilt. Obi-Wan being the "model Jedi" and all, would know what he did was wrong, and probably wouldn't be able to lie to Yoda about it.

 

I could go along with that I_dont_know.

Its just that before Obi Wan makes the leap he looks at Maul with a scowl. I dont believe he has quieted his mind and is passve at that point.

Its like Anakin. His anger gave him the ability to take out Dooku easily. i think it was the same for Kenobi.

But like a true jedi he lets go of that anger afterwards and understands the darkness he had within himself. We all have a darkness. And in order to overcome it we must face and understand what it is.

Obi wan kills maul but isnt obsessive of power. He says his goodbyes to Qui Gon and lets go IMO.

But I could be wrong. It makes sense also that he let go of his anger and then took out Maul. I just didnt see it.

MS

 

good post
Yeah, I saw this look, during the sabre lock at the end of the duel.
(offtopic- if you compare this to the sabre lock at the very end of the Vader duel in Ep3, when Obi-Wan backflips away to highground, there is an interesting aggressive/passive contrast from Obi-Wan. Right before his "opposite height-advantage" moment)

Maul's reaction here is interesting too. He kind of looks happy that Obi-Wan has gotten angry, and he takes advantage of the moment to throw Obi-Wan off balance. He does a seemingly effortless, but cheap, force-push and Obi-Wan goes flying

Exactly, this is setting up a major theme for the rest of the prequels.
Obi-Wan was taught by Yoda and Qui-Gon, it is no surprise that he was very strong willed when it came to letting go. Yoda stressed this kind of thing all the time, and Qui-Gon had compassion for all things, but no attachments.

Anakin saves Obi-Wan time, and time again, their student-mentor relationship couldn't have been more different from Kenobi's and Qui-Gon's. Qui-Gon was a more powerful Jedi than Kenobi in the time he taught Obi-Wan. Anakin however, quickly overtook Obi-Wan in terms of sheer ability.

A fairly good example of this is the difference in Obi-Wan's and Anakin's first duels with a Sith apprentice.
These are small details, but they are amazingly contrasting

Ep1- The Jedi face Maul together for the first half, until Maul kicks Obi-Wan off the ledge.
Ep2- Anakin runs in ahead of Kenobi and Tyrannus electrocutes him. This time Obi-Wan doesn't have another dueler to help tire the Sith out.

Ep1- The Sith is young, and was trained as a Sith from birth.
Ep2- The Sith is old, and used to be a Jedi.

Ep1- Qui-Gon punches Maul off the ledge kind of vengefully after Maul kicks Obi-Wan off.
Ep2- Obi-Wan is unable to help Anakin when he is lightning attacked, dismembered, or when the pillar is dropped on them.

Ep1- Obi-Wan is stuck behind the rayshield and can't save Qui-Gon from the fatal wound.
Ep2- Anakin makes a flying leap to save Obi-Wan from the death-blow.

Ep1- After Qui-Gon's defeat, Obi-Wan kills Maul with Qui-Gon's green sabre.
Ep2- After Obi-Wan's defeat, Anakin loses an arm fighting with the blue sabre Obi-Wan was using.

Spoooooky.
It's like Anakin fails by just trying to follow in Obi-Wan's footsteps.

 

Yeah Obi used just a shmiget of dark side

Good Stuff

 

Obi-Wan getting angry for Qui-Gon's going down is similar to Anakin's reaction when Dooku hurled Obi-Wan and dropped that walkway on him. Obi-Wan was clearly angry, and pressed his attack against Maul as a result but I wouldn't say he was using the dark side. Just look at the expression on Kenobi's face when he's locking lightsabers with General Grevious. He doesn't look angry, just determined.