Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker had a complex relationship. As master and apprentice, they formed a close bond over the years. However, Anakin’s turn to the dark side as Darth Vader put Obi-Wan in an impossible position. When they dueled on Mustafar, Obi-Wan defeated Anakin and left him for dead. This raises the question – does Obi-Wan regret not killing Anakin that day?
Obi-Wan’s Attachment to Anakin
To understand Obi-Wan’s actions, we have to look at his deep attachment to Anakin. Though Jedi were not supposed to form attachments, Obi-Wan clearly cared for Anakin deeply. He took Anakin as his Padawan learner against the Jedi Council’s wishes and invested years training him. They fought together as brothers during the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan even risked his life to uncover the truth about Darth Sidious to try and turn Anakin back from the dark side. Killing his best friend and former apprentice likely went against every fiber of Obi-Wan’s being.
Leaving Anakin to Suffer
However, by leaving the gravely injured Anakin on Mustafar, Obi-Wan condemned him to a terrible fate. Anakin was left limbless and consumed by fire beside a lava river. He suffered excruciating pain and permanent disfigurement. Palpatine found him and put him in the black life support suit that became Darth Vader. Though Obi-Wan could not have predicted how Anakin would survive, he knowingly abandoned his helpless former friend to an agonizing punishment. This act seems out of character for the compassionate Obi-Wan.
Preventing Further Evil
On the other hand, Obi-Wan had just witnessed Anakin pledge himself to evil and participate in horrific atrocities against the Jedi Order. He realized the friend he once cherished was gone, replaced by a murderous Sith Lord. By sparing Vader and allowing Palpatine to find him, Obi-Wan enabled Vader’s reign of terror across the galaxy. If Obi-Wan had killed Anakin on Mustafar, he could have prevented untold suffering under the Empire. Many argue he should have finished the job to stop Vader’s evil deeds.
Hope for Redemption
However, perhaps Obi-Wan secretly hoped Anakin could still return from the dark side someday. By keeping him alive, Obi-Wan left open the possibility of Anakin’s redemption. This proved true decades later when Luke Skywalker’s love awakened the good still buried deep within Vader. In Return of the Jedi, Anakin fulfilled the prophecy as the Chosen One who would destroy the Sith by killing Palpatine. He redeemed himself in the end largely due to Obi-Wan’s mercy.
Adhering to the Jedi Code
As a Jedi Master, Obi-Wan strived to adhere to the Jedi Code, which condemns killing defenseless opponents motivated by emotion. Igniting his lightsaber to finish Anakin may have crossed that line due to their emotional history. The Code also calls Jedi to show mercy. By leaving Anakin gravely wounded but alive, Obi-Wan demonstrated restraint and compassion despite Anakin’s atrocities. Obi-Wan may have simply acted to uphold the Jedi Code.
Conclusion
Obi-Wan faced an impossibly difficult choice between conflicting ideals on Mustafar. His decision clearly haunted him for decades. But in the end, Obi-Wan’s choice allowed for Anakin’s redemption and the return of balance to the Force. Most evidence suggests Obi-Wan did not ultimately regret his fateful decision to spare Vader’s life. Killing his friend out of emotion or a desire for vengeance went against Obi-Wan’s Jedi principles. Though he endured much pain from Anakin’s betrayal, Obi-Wan clung to hope and remained true to the Jedi Code until the end.
References
Here are some references used as sources for this article:
- Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series
- Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
- Star Wars novelizations by Matthew Stover and Matthew Woodring Stover
- The Star Wars Archives books by Paul Duncan
- Obi-Wan comic series by Marvel