The Rebel

One of the memorable archetypes in the human psyche is that of the rebel. The rebel is one who for whatever reasons rejects what they consider to be false authority in order to assert their own individuality. In the original films, that role was filled beautifully by Harrison Ford as Han Solo.
Han rejects the authority of the Empire just as he rejects the authority of the rebellion. Over the course of the trilogy we watch him learn to accept the parts of authority that he has use for, instead of rejecting it entirely as when we first meet him. Many fans have wondered why there was no Han Solo character in the prequels. They have wanted the rebel aspect of the archetypal zodiac to be represented. As has already been asserted, the prequels are in harmony with the originals, and they are no different in this respect.

The rebel archetype is fulfilled in "The Phantom Menace" by Qui Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson's character). He rejects the authority of the Jedi Council to tell him the true nature of the force and he does so unabashedly. Even though the Council is openly committed to the unifying force more than the living force, Qui Gon unabashedly says of Obi Wan in an official meeting with the Council, "...he has much to learn of the living force, but he is capable..." A little explanation is in order here. The unifying force is the version of the force that is studied almost exclusively by the vast majority of the Jedi. It is what the "code" that you hear about in I is all about. This version is explained in these words by Obi Wan, "...but Master Yoda says I should be mindful of the future..." With the unifying force, a jedi reaches out with his mind to comprehend the future so that the knowledge might help him.

Qui Gon, contrary to the code, lives and teaches the living force, as described in these words in response to Obi Wan's above statement, "...but not at the expense of the moment, be mindful of the living force young padawan..." His rebellious nature is made clear when we see his attitude about the impending decision over whether Anakin will be trained as a jedi. Obi Wan says that the council will never allow the boy to be trained because he is too old. And Qui Gon retorts, "Anakin will be a Jedi I promise you." In response, Obi Wan says, "don't disobey the code master, not again, if you would follow the code you would be on the council." And at this does our fearless rebel apologize and confess his weakness? No, he boldy says, "you have much to learn my young padawan."

I would be remiss if I didn't respond to the questions that you are likely asking. If they are both rebels why doesn't Lucas make it more obvious in I. Tut. Tut. As will be explored more later, the times of the Empire are more harsh and frontier like than the prequel time. Again, this is not a convenient answer, but was actually established in the very first movie, "A New Hope," when Obi Wan explained the Old Republic. While Luke was checking out his father's lightsaber, Obi Wan says, "an elegant weapon, for a more civilized age." An age where even the weapons are elegant and the society is more civilized. What does that call for? More formal dialogue and more artistic lines of design as opposed to the Empire's industrial design. That is why Qui Gon the rebel looks and feels so much different than Han the rebel.

Another interesting difference is that Han eventually backs off of his rebellion, while in III, Qui Gon's rebellion is actually vindicated as what the Jedi should have been doing all along. He understood what the council--and Obi Wan--in their blind arrogance could not: that the living force has the power to see both sides of the force and therefore is better equipped to deal with the Sith than than the more pure and elitist unifying force.

Of course, Anakin is also to be considered the prime rebel in Episodes II and III. He flies to Tatooine to find his mother, he flies to Geonosis to help Obi Wan, and he marries Padme all instead of what he was told to do. All of these were because of his weakness in self-discipline rather than some strength that he possessed. So, his rebellion--based on personal weakness--ends in tragedy, while the rebellion of Han and Qui Gon--based on personal strength--end in their success.