Grand Master Yoda, voiced by Frank Oz, is one of the most powerful Jedi in all of the Star Wars universe. While most of the heroes are human, he is far from it; he is tiny, green, has a unique speech pattern, and his level of mastery in the Jedi arts is unparalleled. Who Yoda is really, to find out let’s embark on this together as we explore Grand Master Yoda’s life on a deeper level.
Early Life and Mysterious Origins
Yoda was born almost 900 years before the Battle of Endor. Yoda’s origin and species are shrouded in mystery throughout the Star Wars saga, with very little known about them. At 100 years old, he earned the rank of Master and began training the future generations of Jedi until his last breath.
The Path to Jedi Mastery
Yoda’s journey to becoming Grand Master begins when he is discovered to be Force-sensitive, and he begins his training under Jedi Master N’Kata Del Gormo. Yoda quickly rises through the ranks because of his exceptional skills and mastery of the Jedi arts. By the time Yoda is 100 years old, he earns the rank of Master and begins training other Jedi, imparting his knowledge. Yoda is one of the most influential Jedi in the Star Wars saga.
Master to Count Dooku
Yoda, in all his life, has trained countless Jedi, but his last and probably one of his favorite students is Count Dooku, whom he took as his padawan in the last era of the Galactic Republic. They went on many missions together as master and apprentice. Once on Kashyyyk, Dooku saw his master fight a giant, terrifying Tarentatek.
Leader of the Jedi Council
Yoda plays a pivotal role in the Jedi Order throughout his life and eventually becomes the Grand Master of the Jedi Council. His leadership is marked by patience, a strong moral compass, and a strong connection to the Force. Even after becoming the leader of the Jedi Order, he continues to train many Jedi, like Count Dooku and Mace Windu. However, under his reign, the Jedi and the Jedi High Council distance themselves from the galaxy and only act as peacemakers. This is why they were not able to realize the threat of the Sith, which eventually leads to the downfall of the Jedi Order.
The Clone Wars
The Clone Wars begin with the Battle of Geonosis, where Anakin Skywalker, Padmé Amidala, and Obi-Wan Kenobi are captured on Geonosis and are about to be executed. At the last moment, Mace Windu and other Jedi come to the rescue and fight the battle droids. However, due to the overwhelming number of droids, many Jedi die with only a few remaining. Count Dooku, who has now turned to the dark side, asks Mace Windu to surrender, which he refuses, saying they will die before surrendering. At that moment, Grand Master Yoda comes to the rescue along with the Clone Army. The Clone Army destroys the enemy battle droids.
Later on, as Count Dooku is trying to escape Geonosis, Anakin and Obi-Wan confront him. Both Jedi duel with the Sith Lord, which results in him cutting off Anakin’s hand and beating them both. As Dooku is about to escape, Yoda appears, and both master and apprentice duel. However, neither emerged victorious because Count Dooku tricks Yoda into saving Anakin and Obi-Wan. Using Force Energy, Dooku rips out a large part of the ceiling and throws it at where Anakin and Obi-Wan are lying unconscious, knowing full well that Yoda will save them both, giving the Sith Lord a chance to escape.
Order 66
The Clone Wars end after Palpatine gets himself a new apprentice, Darth Vader. After this, he broadcasts Order 66 to the entire clone army; it is at that point we see the real mastermind behind the clone army is Palpatine. Activating Order 66 meant that the clones were supposed to kill every Jedi. Yoda, who is at Kashyyyk at this time, feels his fellow Jedi die and falls to his knees. Sensing the clones, who are with him, are about to attack him, Yoda defends himself with his lightsaber. Then, with the help of the Wookiees Chewbacca and Tarfful, Yoda is able to escape.
Kenobi and Yoda learn from Senator Bail Organa that a coded message has been broadcast across the galaxy for the Jedi survivors to return to Coruscant. The two Jedi decide to return to reconfigure the beacon to warn survivors to stay away. On the other hand, Palpatine in the Senate reforms the Galactic Republic into a Galactic Empire and announces himself as the Emperor. The two Jedi return to Coruscant and are able to recalibrate the signal.
Duel in the Senate and Exile
Kenobi, wanting to learn the identity of who is responsible for the death of his fellow Jedi, watches the security recordings with Yoda. They discover Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side, responsible for the destruction and death of the Jedi in the Jedi Temple, Palpatine’s identity as a Sith Lord, and the formation of the Galactic Empire. Seeing all the destruction the Sith have caused, Obi-Wan and Yoda decide they need to be destroyed. With a heavy heart, Kenobi departs to confront his former apprentice on Mustafar.
Yoda, on the other hand, comes to the Senate to confront Palpatine, now the Emperor, and they duel fiercely. In their duel, no one emerges as victorious, but the Jedi see this as his failure and decide to go into exile on Dagobah.
Mentor to Luke Skywalker
For the next 19 years, Yoda lives in exile on Dagobah, practicing the arts of the light side of the Force. Until the Force Spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi sends Luke Skywalker to Dagobah to train under the Jedi Master. When first seeing the boy, Yoda does not reveal his identity and decides to test Luke. Despite having tested the young Jedi, Yoda feels reluctant to train him because of his impatient personality and him being too much like his father, Anakin Skywalker. But the Force Spirit of Obi-Wan and Luke convince the Jedi Master to train him. Throughout the training, Yoda emphasizes the importance of patience and asks him to believe that everything is possible.
The training is cut short when Luke has a vision about his friends being in trouble, and he leaves to save them.
Death
In “The Return of the Jedi,” Luke returns to Dagobah to find his master. Yoda is now very old and weak. On Yoda’s deathbed, Luke asks him about his father being Darth Vader, which he confirms, and he also reveals that he has a sister. Yoda then peacefully dies in his sleep with Luke by his side.
Post-Death Legacy
Even after his death, Yoda continues to impact the Star Wars narrative. His appearance in “The Last Jedi” is so inspirational and motivating. When Luke Skywalker was struggling on Ahch-To, Yoda appeared as a Force Spirit to guide his apprentice in his time of need. This brief appearance serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force that every Jedi faces in their lives.
Yoda’s Lightsaber Color
Grandmaster Yoda’s lightsaber color is green, which reflects his personality perfectly, as the Jedi who constructs a green lightsaber focuses more on the Force rather than on combat. The Jedi Master spends hours meditating, seeking guidance from the Force.
