Bauer: Goddess Leia

In the Star Wars Trilogy, Leia plays two important roles in the hero's journey. She is both the temptress and goddess as Campbell would describe. Although her interactions with the two hero's are slightly different, she still plays both roles for each.

A New Hope, Luke and Han Solo both set out out to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire who has captured her. Campbell writes of how the goddess must give purpose to the hero. In the beginning his major purpose is to rescue her for reward or honor. However, upon rescue, she involves both Han and Luke in the rebel cause and the war. She has added new purpose to the journey for each. At the end of the first movie, we see her send off Luke into battle. In The Empire Strikes Back, she seems to be in charge of much of the operation of the base on Hoth. Also though, she and Han start to fall for each other. Althogh this may seem to be as if she is the temptress, she is also giving Han purpose in his journey, to win her over. In her talks with Luke, she discusses what it is he has to do. In the beginning of the third movie, she must be rescued again by Luke so that he may continue his journey. The rebels are also on a planet occupied by the Empire and she goes missing. It is up to Han and Luke to find her and their journey leads them to the Ewoks which will later help them in their fight. Leia is the first to find them so if she had not gotten lost, Luke and Han may never have made friends with the Ewoks and been able to finish their journey.

Leia is also the temptress. In the first movie, this is most prevalent when Han returns to help the Rebels because she is their. Although he was initially involved for money, she has made him want to come back. In the third movie, she is enslaved by Jabba and needs to be rescued by Luke. There are many instances where Leia is the reason for the actions taken by the hero even though it may seem out of the way or unimportant.

Leia is both the goddess and temptress. She gives purpose to Han and Luke's journey and becomes the cause of many of their actions. Leia is essential to the hero's journey.