As the anticipation for the upcoming latest Star Wars TV series continues to build, fans of the decades-old franchise remain just as fascinated with the original film series' cast of characters. Among these favorites, of course, is Yoda. Though his appearances throughout the series are relatively limited compared to other characters, his overall impact is tremendous.
Because Yoda is so popular there's no shortage of tributes to him online, from fans who want to honor the little green Jedi master's abilities and downright charming personality. His character is a complex one - surprisingly so for such a rarely seen part of the Star Wars franchise.
The Master Knows All
In terms of iconic pop culture status, few would argue that both The Beatles and Master Yoda have maintained a dedicated following over the years. Because of this, it’s hard for any Star Wars and Beatles fan to resist a good meme that incorporates both pop culture references
Aside from his appearance, one of the first qualities about Yoda that endears him to fans is his manner of speaking. By taking some of the lyrics to the classic Beatles song “All You Need Is Love” and including Yoda, this meme not only underscores Yoda’s speech habits but also his compassionate and wise nature.
Greatness Is Not Found In War
Yoda was first introduced in Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back when Luke crash lands at Dagobah. While the franchise provides ample moments for Yoda to relay his wisdom, it’s this meeting in Dagobah in which fans arguably learn the most about the master Jedi. This meme highlights Yoda’s response to Luke’s search for a great warrior.
By telling Luke that “Wars make not one great,” Yoda refutes the idea that in order to have power and be worthy of respect one needs to have fought in numerous wars. It’s a particularly effective point, as Yoda’s miniature stature does not reflect how powerful he truly is. Wisdom is far more valuable than brute force and Yoda embodies this completely.
So Many Questions So Many Answers
Yoda’s death in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi is one of the saddest moments of the franchise. After his introduction in Empire Strikes Back, fans were eager to see more of the character, only to be disappointed by his death in Return of the Jedi. Though he checked out early on screen, his wisdom guided Luke’s path as a Jedi.
While this particular meme is quite funny, it does manage to make a good point about who Yoda is. After 900 years of study and practice and experience, he has given everything he has to maintain the Jedi. Luke is indeed full of questions and though Yoda does his best to prepare the young Jedi for what lies ahead, eventually Yoda’s days come to an end.
What A Jedi Doesn’t Crave
Arguably one of Yoda’s most famous quotes is “Adventure, excitement, a Jedi craves not these things.” It’s true that the Jedi are duty-bound and that they do not do the things they do simply for the sake of superficial rewards. This meme, however, offers up this famed quote while introducing an interesting point.
Despite his insistence that the Jedi do not actively pursue adventure or excitement, there’s no denying that Yoda led a life absolutely brimming full of these things. The point, however, is that while experiencing these things head-on, Yoda remained true to the path of the Jedi, consistently managing to stay focused on the task at hand and not the glory it involved.
Failure Is Part Of The Path
In Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, Yoda appears to an aged Luke Skywalker to remind him that failure is the greatest teacher. It’s a rallying cry from the great Master Jedi, and it proves that long after he passed away in Return of the Jedi, there are still things that he can teach his former pupil.
This meme reminds fans not only of Yoda’s wisdom but specifically of the sort of character that he is. There is no obstacle too big, no task too daunting to take on. And, even if failure results from any given situation, there is still always much to be learned from the experience. This unconquerable aspect is central to Yoda’s outlook and wisdom.
An Appreciation For All Opinions, Regardless Of Age
The idea that only the most powerful Jedis can offer worthwhile insight is not something that Yoda subscribes to. While the tiny Jedi is well aware of how powerful his enemies and allies are, this does not prevent him from retaining a deep understanding of both young and old.
It’s while teaching a younglings lightsaber class during Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones that a pupil offers a legitimate answer as to why the planet Kamino is missing from the Jedi archives. Yoda’s response to this highlights how he not only delights in a clever mind but also shows how he appreciates life in all its forms – without bias.
A Jedi Doesn’t Get Distracted
Eyes closed and tiny hand held aloft, this meme showcases Yoda utilizing the full extent of his focus. It’s a familiar site to Star Wars fans and he’s first seen doing this in Empire Strikes Back when he decides to teach Luke a lesson about size being irrelevant to a Jedi’s ability.
Within the Star Wars franchise, it often seems that many of the aspects of the Jedi also provide lessons for real life. Yoda’s ability to focus and the necessity of focus in order to perform many of the tasks that Jedi are capable of stems from this. Without his incredible sense of focus on what truly matters, Yoda would not be who he is.
Everybody Loves Yoda
It’s hard not to like Yoda and This appears to be true within the actual Star Wars universe as well. In Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Yoda states that he has good relations with the Wookiees and will therefore travel to their home planet of Kashyyk to ensure its safety.
Of course, it’s ridiculous to consider Yoda’s good relations with the Wookiees being about partying, but this meme also points to a deeper truth. Yoda is so personable and kind that he seems to effortlessly make friends, regardless of race or species. This is an essential component of the character, as it highlights his all-encompassing nature.
Always Ready, Always Aware
A Jedi’s intuition is a powerful thing indeed, and sensing a disturbance in the Force is one of the purest examples of how interconnected the ancient order is with their environment. This Yoda meme references an awareness of that disturbance on the part of Yoda, done in his inimitable and endearing manner of speaking.
Every aspect of Yoda’s character is perfectly honed, to the point where his role in the Star Wars saga is to be the embodiment of who and what the purest of the Jedi are. Yoda’s ability to sense good and bad or happiness and sadness regardless of its distance plays a considerable role in who he is, making the character both a powerful ally and adversary.
Aging Better Than You
Luke Skywalker’s return to his master’s home in Return of the Jedi marks the last time Yoda ever speaks to Luke as a living being. Yoda understands that he must look old to such a young Jedi and this prompts him to state, “When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not, hmm?”
The quip is a light-hearted moment between student and teacher, with Yoda showing that despite the fate he faces and the seriousness of being a Jedi master, he does have a capacity for humor. Much like the above meme, there’s a certain degree of intensity to Yoda’s words and appearance, but ultimately they reflect the purity of his heart.