Obi-Wan Kenobi is a character unto himself, and unlike any other in the Star Wars universe. Part of his appeal for fans lies in the traits that make up his character, many of which are significant mainstays. Most of them are easy to spot, while others are subtle, and surface only in particular situations.
These character traits help define who Obi-Wan was at different stages during his lifetime. Some were tempered as he got older but stuck around in a more refined form. Equal parts diplomat and warrior, Kenobi relied on these traits in all of his dealings, and they ended up helping to tip the Force back into balance.
Stroking His Beard
Obi-Wan wasn't always a bearded fellow, but that changed when he became Anakin Skywalker's teacher. After growing a significant beard, he did as most men do — stroke it whilst pondering intellectually. This became a character trait that stuck with him throughout his long life.
He would often do this while waxing nostalgic or contemplating his next move. The act of stroking a beard is nothing new, and is quite prevalent in many cultures, though nobody really knows why. It's been theorized to be a largely subconscious act designed to stimulate brain signals.
His Hatred Of Flying
Though he was considered an accomplished starfighter pilot, Obi-Wan was nevertheless no fan of flying. Contrary to popular belief, it was not an irrational phobia, but the byproduct of a traumatic experience in his younger days under the tutelage of Qui-Gon Jinn.
During a mission, Obi-Wan accidentally switched on a starfighter's auto-pursuit mechanism and was forced to steer the craft through the cramped insides of a large cruiser at top speed. The experience shook him up so badly that he vowed never to fly again. Eventually, he'd learn to conquer his fears, even if they never quite went away completely.
His Catch-Phrases
Mixed in with Obi-Wan's politeness is a series of catch-phrases that he often uses repeatedly throughout the series. These non-offensive, somewhat comical Star Wars one-liners are designed to make audiences laugh while sticking to Kenobi's penchant for politeness.
The most common of these phrases is "Hello there," which Obi-Wan has used many times to greet both friend and foe alike. Others include "Oh my," and "Oh, I don't think so," which are self-explanatory.
He's Slightly Pretentious
Though well-liked by most, some had noted that Obi-Wan was a bit pretentious and arrogant. Even Master Yoda insinuated as such in Attack of the Clones when Obi-Wan was complaining about his own apprentice's arrogance.
Nobody got the blunt end of this more than Anakin Skywalker, especially during his early years under Kenobi's tutelage. Though he could be encouraging and diplomatic, he also had a holier-than-thou attitude which turned a lot of folks off.
Insults Galore
When it's time to bust out the insults, Kenobi tends to stay low-key, which actually makes his words sting a lot more. Rather than bludgeon his opponents with shocking barbs, Kenobi opts for minor digs that show his contempt whilst elevating himself above them in terms of status.
This was more prevalent in his earlier years, as showcased in The Phantom Menace, in which he hadn't quite learned how to control his tongue. Later, he'd Obi-Wan would use insults in combat as a means of tricking his opponents into losing control.
He Is Cynical
It's hard to fathom, but Kenobi is a rather cynical individual at times. He often misses things that others see, which is ironic given the fact that it's usually the opposite. For all his inherent wisdom, Kenobi still glosses over things that someone of his caliber should pick up on.
This was demonstrated in his younger years when Qui-Gon Jinn declared Anakin Skywalker the fabled Chosen One of Jedi prophecy. It would later manifest itself across the board, particularly in battle, such as when he thought his life was over during the battle over Coruscant at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith.
The Jedi Mind Trick
Kenobi wouldn't back down from a fight, but he clearly preferred non-violent solutions to problems. Even when things got heated, he'd always opt for diplomacy over a firefight. One of the tools he used most frequently was the Jedi mind trick, which was designed to defuse situations before they got out of hand.
He'd use this power many times over his life, both pre and post-Clone Wars, and it helped him avoid unnecessary conflict. It may also have played a huge role in his ability to stay hidden, following Order 66 and the Jedi purge. It remains to be seen if he'll use the Jedi mind trick more in the upcoming Obi-Wan TV series on Disney+.
Using Defense As His Offense
Obi-Wan's non-violent attitude was a constant, even when he was in the middle of battle. Though he realized that conflict was an inevitable part of life as a Jedi, he was never an aggressor. Often, Kenobi would use defense as his own offense, such as returning blaster fire to its source in order to take down foes.
He would also use the special tactics of his adversaries against them, which was demonstrated during his battle with General Grievous. At every opportunity, Obi-Wan preferred to allow his foe's actions to become their undoing rather than swinging the saber down as hard as he could.
Playing Cards Close To His Chest
One of Obi-Wan's most signature character traits was his tendency to play his cards close to his chest, whether in front of ally or enemy. He often had schemes going on in the background which necessitated a bit of subterfuge. He even kept Anakin on a need-to-know basis during many of their missions together.
It was a trait that would stick with Obi-Wan in his later years. His most controversial act was to purposely withhold Darth Vader's true identity from Luke Skywalker. Following their climactic fight on Cloud City, Luke confronted Obi-Wan about his lie, only for the latter to misdirect once more with his explanation.
He Is Overly Polite
Obi-Wan was known for being rather aristocratic in his behavior, which is possibly why he was elected to the Jedi Council in later years. His mannerisms made him a natural diplomat, as evidenced by his uncanny ability to solve many problems without the use of violence.
Hidden behind that politeness was a slight mean streak, but even his insults were done with a sense of eloquence attached to them. Obi-Wan knew the value of remaining cool, calm, and collected, and that helped him defuse a lot of tense situations, leading to good outcomes.