Han Solo Character Analysis

The character, Han Solo, in the film, “Star Wars: A New Hope,” undoubtedly represents the characteristics of an anti-hero. Primarily, an anti-hero is not the typical, ideal hero; the anti-hero has many detrimental traits unlike the common hero. In the movie, Han is known to be a greedy person; he rescues Princess Leia with the intents of receiving a grand reward at the end. Further, he proved the fact that he was a coward when he favored his own ease and safety over Leia’s as he states, “better her than me,” while hesitating to save her. Han is furthermore a cynic, which is evident as he told Luke, before saving Leia, that his plan would not work: he carries a common misperception of events. Secondly, an anti-hero does not always follow moral
conduct; he does what is right for himself. This is obvious in the movie as Han was not afraid to shoot one of Jabba the Hut’s suspicious men for his own safety. Additionally, he smuggles for a living; though these are not the right actions, he believes they are. Throughout the movie, he deliberately put his safety and comfort first by not considering the justice of his actions unlike Luke. Finally, an anti-hero is misinterpreted by society. Han looks coarse and hurtful by his appearance and job (smuggling), but he honestly brings life to the journey. Though he may be a coward, without him, Luke would not have been able to go far in his journey. Overall, Han has many flaws, does not follow moral conduct, and is misunderstood by society: three pivotal characteristics that define an anti-hero. Hence, Han Solo is a strong representation of an anti-hero.