Star Words: Episode III, Part 36
Dec. 27th, 2018 12:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
matrilObi-Wan and Anakin/Vader now stand at opposite ideological poles: Jedi vs Sith, democracy vs tyranny, compassion vs control. A mighty duel is inevitable. And yet....they were the closest of friends for so long, it can't be a simple transition to suddenly start fighting to the death. You see both of them having to steel their nerves in anticipation of the confrontation, each having to convince himself that it's the only option. Anakin calls the newly formed government "my new empire;" Obi-Wan questions such a presumptive claim and Anakin snaps back "Don't make me kill you," once again placing all the blame on his former master to deflect it from himself. Obi-Wan declares his allegiance to the Republic and democracy, demonstrating again that sticky issue of loyalties appearing to shift even as they remain the same. And then,
"If you're not with me, then you're my enemy."
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must."
The framing of this moment is so fascinating. Anakin in the foreground, Obi-Wan a smaller figure behind his shoulder. Anakin won't face him; he refuses to see this point of view. He might as well be a hundred light years away.
But is Obi-Wan any more open-minded? Many have pointed out the irony of his absolutist statement about Siths dealing in absolutes. And we've seen throughout Episode III that the Jedi can be hypocritical, enough for Anakin to eventually believe Palpatine's extravagant claim that there's not really so much difference between them and the Sith. Does this apply to Obi-Wan specifically?
Obi-Wan doesn't want to kill Anakin, but he defines himself first and foremost as a Jedi. He values that allegiance more highly than anything else, even his old friendship. And Jedi are expected to destroy Sith. Obi-Wan knows this all too well, as someone who rather recently declared that "Sith Lords are our specialty." So when he's confronted with his former Padawan-turned-Sith, he tells himself whatever is necessary to convince himself of what has to be done.
And then the mighty duel begins.
Next, Yoda and the revealed Darth Sidious exchange a few words before their own spectacular duel....
"If you're not with me, then you're my enemy."
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must."
The framing of this moment is so fascinating. Anakin in the foreground, Obi-Wan a smaller figure behind his shoulder. Anakin won't face him; he refuses to see this point of view. He might as well be a hundred light years away.
But is Obi-Wan any more open-minded? Many have pointed out the irony of his absolutist statement about Siths dealing in absolutes. And we've seen throughout Episode III that the Jedi can be hypocritical, enough for Anakin to eventually believe Palpatine's extravagant claim that there's not really so much difference between them and the Sith. Does this apply to Obi-Wan specifically?
Obi-Wan doesn't want to kill Anakin, but he defines himself first and foremost as a Jedi. He values that allegiance more highly than anything else, even his old friendship. And Jedi are expected to destroy Sith. Obi-Wan knows this all too well, as someone who rather recently declared that "Sith Lords are our specialty." So when he's confronted with his former Padawan-turned-Sith, he tells himself whatever is necessary to convince himself of what has to be done.
And then the mighty duel begins.
Next, Yoda and the revealed Darth Sidious exchange a few words before their own spectacular duel....
