In order to save Padme, Anakin joined Palpatine. However, he didn’t turn away from the dark side until she passed away in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
Anakin’s conversion to the dark side is ironically shown throughout the Star Wars prequel films. His primary priorities were his friends and family, and he was driven by the need to preserve Padme’s life. Even more, Anakin deserted the Jedi and allied with Palpatine to save her life during childbirth. But why would Anakin remain with Palpatine after Padme died if preserving her was his entire intention?
Anakin had no regard for the Sith or what they stood for when he transformed into Darth Vader. His sole motivation for joining the evil side was the need to safeguard the people he loved and discover the techniques for avoiding death. From Anakin’s perspective, becoming Palpatine’s apprentice was merely a means of increasing his power, and all the wicked actions he was required to carry out were simply steps toward that end.
Anakin Was Already Gone After Star Wars: Revenge of The Sith
Anakin had already thoroughly embraced the dark side before Padme’s death. Even if he still had genuine intentions, his rage had completely perverted him. And as he came to believe that he was to blame for Padme’s passing, his rage only became worse, turning into a deep loathing for everyone and everything in his environment. Yoda even adds, “If once you start down the dark path, forever will it govern your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-apprentice,” Wan’s in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
Naturally, it didn’t control Anakin’s destiny for the rest of his life because he eventually went to the light. But getting there took a long time, and not much of the former Vader was left. This entirely supports the notion that Anakin and Darth Vader were two different individuals because Vader told his former master, “You didn’t kill Anakin Skywalker. I did,” even during the Obi-Wan Kenobi confrontation.
Darth Vader Had No One Left in Star Wars
Darth Vader didn’t have to remain a Sith even after Anakin was killed. He had the option to flee or try to assassinate Palpatine if he so desired. Vader still had no connection to the Sith or their principles, after all. However, Palpatine appeared to be his lone remaining buddy.
Vader was unaware that Palpatine had spent his entire life molding him and that their friendship was a complete fabrication. He still had faith in Palpatine’s word that he would aid in Padme’s rescue. Therefore, Palpatine had done nothing wrong and was the only person still by Vader’s side from his warped perspective. And he reasoned that he might as well dedicate himself to a life as a Sith rather than risk losing everyone in his life.
The title of Star Wars, coined by director George Lucas, “The Tragedy of Darth Vader,” sums it up well. Anakin alienated everyone who cared about him to the point where he was left alone as the evil Darth Vader, depending only on Palpatine. He was still angry and felt the need to become stronger through the Sith despite having lost everything he desired.
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Irving is the Chief Editor at the Landscape Insight. He lives just outside of New York. His writings have also been featured in some very famous magazines. When he isn’t reading the source material for a piece or decompressing with a comfort horror movie, Irving is usually somewhere in his car. You can reach Irving at – [email protected] or on Our website Contact Us Page.
