Harrison Ford’s portrayal of Han Solo brought one of the galaxy’s most iconic smugglers to life. Han Solo’s death marked a pivotal moment in the Star Wars saga. The smuggler-turned-hero met his tragic end at the hands of Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, his own son. This act of patricide was not just a climactic scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens but a transformative event for both the Resistance and the First Order.
The Fall of Ben Solo
Ben Solo was born to Leia Organa and Han Solo. Coming from a lineage tied deeply to both the light and dark sides of the Force, Ben’s journey was fraught with challenges. Trained as a Jedi under Luke Skywalker, Ben struggled with feelings of inadequacy and a pull toward the dark side.
Supreme Leader Snoke, a puppet of Emperor Palpatine, exploited Ben’s vulnerabilities. Promising power and freedom, Snoke drew Ben into the shadow of the dark side. The transformation into Kylo Ren began with severing his ties to family. Han Solo’s death became the ultimate test of Kylo Ren’s commitment to the dark side.
The Fateful Confrontation on Starkiller Base
The confrontation between Han Solo and Kylo Ren occurred on Starkiller Base. Kylo Ren wielded a custom crossguard lightsaber, a weapon symbolizing instability and raw power. The lightsaber’s red blade reflected the dark side’s grip on Ben.
Han Solo approached Kylo Ren, attempting to bring his son back to the light. The scene was heavy with emotion as Han offered a path to redemption. Kylo Ren, torn between the light and the dark, ignited his lightsaber through Han’s chest, killing him. This act solidified Kylo Ren’s allegiance to the dark side, severing the bond with his father in the most final way.
The Impact on Kylo Ren
Han Solo’s death did not deliver the clarity Kylo Ren sought. The act left a scar on Ben Solo’s psyche. Instead of silencing the pull to the light, it amplified his inner conflict. Kylo Ren’s torment became evident in subsequent encounters with Rey and Snoke.
Kylo Ren’s training under Snoke intensified after this event. Yet, the memory of his father lingered. In The Last Jedi, Rey confronted Kylo about his patricide. Despite his attempts to suppress guilt, it was clear Han’s death haunted Kylo Ren. The duality within him remained unresolved.
Lightsaber Combat and Symbolism
Kylo Ren’s lightsaber style mirrored his inner chaos. The weapon, forged with an unstable kyber crystal, was erratic and fiery. Unlike the precision of a Jedi or the calculated strikes of a Sith, Kylo Ren’s form displayed raw aggression. Han Solo’s death became a symbolic wound, reflecting the fractured state of the dark warrior.
Kylo Ren’s lightsaber and his combat style evolved over the trilogy. The weapon remained a physical reminder of his volatile journey, while his combat became more refined, signaling moments of clarity amid turmoil.
Legacy of Han Solo’s Death
Han Solo’s death reshaped the Star Wars narrative. It deepened the chasm between Kylo Ren and his family while intensifying the stakes for the Resistance. Leia Organa and Rey carried the weight of his loss, each responding in different ways. Leia channeled her grief into leadership, while Rey sought to confront Kylo Ren’s darkness.
The act also set the stage for Kylo Ren’s eventual redemption. In The Rise of Skywalker, a vision of Han Solo reappeared to Ben Solo. This moment catalyzed Ben’s return to the light, underscoring the enduring love of a parent. Han’s memory became the beacon guiding Ben back from the abyss.
Final Reflection
Han Solo’s death at the hands of Kylo Ren was more than a turning point in the Star Wars saga. It symbolized the struggle between light and dark, love and hate, family and isolation. The legacy of this moment shaped Kylo Ren’s journey, serving as a haunting reminder of choices and their consequences. In the end, Han Solo’s death did not extinguish the light. Instead, it lit the way for redemption and the ultimate defeat of darkness.
