Hall: Han Solo Alone

The true embodiment of Joseph Campbell's 'hero' is not a question of either or when it comes to Lucas’ characters, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. It is only when both of these hero's paths are evaluated that Campbell's definition of the hero’s journey becomes realized. They both go through different ways of defeating the power of the Dark Side. Luke directly combats the dark side and his feelings of anger when he fights his father Darth Vader. Han Solo has to deal with his selfish tendencies and his proclivity for distrust. 

I do believe that Luke Skywalker is the main hero in the Star Wars Trilogy. He is depicted going through most of what Joseph Campbell defines as the “hero’s Journey.” However, what Luke lacks is what is discussed in the short essay “The Civic Hero and the Contemplative Hero,” he lacks the capacity as a romantic hero. He is the contemplative hero, who reaches his goal through an inner look at his self and the principles he has been taught by the Supernatural Aid. I also don’t think his character made such a radical change when comparing it the change found within Han Solo. Throughout the movie, although he does go through the difficulties of resisting the Dark Force and the allure of a relationship with his father, I found him still to be a rather static character. Always trying to do the right thing, save his friends no matter what, use the force etc. This might just be my distaste for what I find to be an overly earnest Mark Hamill, but I was never surprised by any of Luke Skywalker’s actions. So I’m going to argue Han Solo as the embodiment of the hero. 

Han Solo is the quintessential loner who rejects the company of everyone but his sidekick, Chewbacca the Wookie. When Han is first encountered he is the epitome of selfishness and is motivated only by rewards and his resolve to save his own skin. In Episode IV the hen the Millennium Falcon is first captured by Imperial forces, Han’s only prerogative is to save his own skin. He only agrees to assist in helping Princess Leia when he is told that she is rich and there will be great reward if she is saved. This is a constant strain in the first movie in the trilogy, but his development towards heroism is first displayed when he comes back to help Luke destroy the first Death Star, even despite his claim that “what’s good a reward, if you ain’t around to use it”. As Pfeiffer and Lewis mention, in the second film is when we really get “to know him better” as a hero and a truly viable character (105). Despite his loudly proclaimed convictions that he should just take care of himself and depend on no one, he constantly puts himself into danger for his new found friends. An example of this would be in the beginning of Episode V when he first puts off his plans to leave the rebel base in order to search for Luke and his later decision to take Leia with him when they flee the base because of the approaching Death Star. He eventually learns to accept his place as “civic hero,” learning to “negotiate that world, to overcome the temptations of the world, and finally serve the world in a leadership capacity.” He is the hero who in this movie experiences what Campbell calls the “ultimate adventure.” The meeting of the goddess, who in this film is Leia the “brave leader” leader of the rebel movement, and winning her love, is the final test of talent. Campbell says that this represents the “hero’s total mastery of life.” Basically, Han is ‘winning.’