Luke’s Jedi training on Dagobah is more than just getting into shape. Learning about the Force, and the temptation of the dark side, is vital to the training. But why did Yoda say Luke failed in the cave?
Yoda says Luke failed in the cave because he brought his weapons with him. Luke didn’t trust his own abilities and control of the Force, instead relying on a lightsaber and blaster to protect him.
The Jedi Master lowers his head in disappointment as Luke tightens his weapons around his waist and enters the cave.
Yoda tells Luke that he failed in the cave
In Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Luke makes the snap decision to stop his Jedi training early. He has a blurred vision of Han and Leia in trouble at Cloud City, and wants to board his X-Wing to save them.
As he prepares to board his X-Wing and leave Dagobah, Yoda tries to convince him to stay. Yoda didn’t want Luke to leave because his Jedi training is still incomplete.
Luke says he can’t keep the vision of his friends out of his head. At that moment, a Force Ghost of Obi-Wan appears. The ghost tells Luke that not even Yoda can see Han and Leia’s fate. Luke promises he will go back to Yoda to complete his training, once he can.
Despite Luke being able to feel the Force, Obi-Wan admits, he is still unable to control it. This is a dangerous time for Luke, as he will be tempted by the dark side of the Force.
Yoda says that Luke should listen to Obi-Wan, as well as remember his failure at the cave. He is being completely serious, as opposed to acting crazy earlier in the Empire Strikes Back.
Earlier in the film, during Luke’s Jedi training, he feels a cold emitting from a Dagobah cave. Yoda says the place is strong with the dark side of the Force.
Yoda tells Luke that a “domain of evil” is in the cave. Luke asks what’s in there, and Yoda says “only what you take with you.” Despite being told by Yoda that weapons are not needed, Luke rejects the advice and carries his lightsaber and blaster with him.
With a disappointed look, Yoda lowers his head as Luke enters the cave. While inside, Luke squares off against an imaginary version of Darth Vader. The two have a brief lightsaber duel before Luke successfully decapitates Vader.
Looking inside the helmet, Luke sees his own face. This can symbolize Luke’s temptation to the dark side of the Force as well as his family-connection to Vader.
But why did Yoda say Luke failed in the cave? He brought his weapons with him after Yoda explicitly told him not to. Concerned for his own safety instead of trusting his own strength and the Force, bringing his weapons signified a failure.