Star Wars is full of tragedy. I suppose that’s to be expected when the entire premise of the saga is galactic conflict. Characters in all eras of Star Wars have suffered greatly. But who among them is the most tragic? (For our purposes, I’m not going to count Anakin Skywalker. Yes, he lost his mom and his wife, but he got to rule the galaxy, eventually redeemed himself, and reconciled with his estranged children.) So who does that leave? Let’s take a look at some of the most tragic Star Wars characters.
Most Tragic Star Wars Character #5: Qui-Gon Jin
A Jedi Master and member of the Jedi Council, Qui-Gon Jin was pupil to Yoda and Master to Obi-Wan Kenobi. He was also among the most tragic Star Wars characters we’ve seen. Fate brought him to a young Anakin Skywalker, and his tragic end was sealed. Believing Anakin to be the prophesized Chosen One, Qui-Gon clung to the hope that the boy would bring balance to the Force. That hopeful belief blinded the otherwise practical Jedi, and led to his demise.
4. Darth Maul
Darth Maul fell under Darth Sidious’s spell early and easily. Promises of prestige and power led the tattooed Zabrak to stand by the Lord of the Sith’s side. That put him on a path to emotional and physical ruin. Sliced in half and left for dead, Maul ended up living in nightmarish madness on the garbage planet of Lotho Minor. Rescued, he’d go on to challenge his former master (and be defeated), and once again descend into rage-fueled obsession over Obi-Wan Kenobi. The fact that Maul was evil doesn’t make him any less than one of the most tragic Star Wars characters in the galaxy.
Top Three Tragic Star Wars Characters
3. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Apprentice to Qui-Gon Jin, Obi-Wan Kenobi became one of the most prominent, and most tragic Star Wars characters to ever live. He watched his master die, then shouldered the worst burden in the galaxy in mentoring the so-called Chosen One. He lost his one love in Satine Kryzy, watched his apprentice become the scourge of the galaxy, and lived a life of self-imposed penance in exile. Even after death, he nearly lost Luke to the Dark Side and could only watch from the other side of the Force. Obi-Wan often could do little more than witness those he loved suffer..
