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Star Words: Episode III, Part 11
Jul. 5th, 2018 02:04 pmI recall quite clearly the first time I saw this film and watched Palpatine weaving his clever webs. It was fascinating and chilling to observe how well he knows both Anakin and the Council, allowing him to manipulate and instigate all manner of contention between the two parties. He knows that Anakin has coveted the rank of Jedi Master and a spot on the Council. He also knows that he's far too young and controversial for the Council to consider giving him such a position. He knows that when he appoints Anakin as a special representative, under the guise of improving the Republic's security, the Council will balk at such brazen interference and only grow more suspicious toward Anakin.
He gets to flatter Anakin, persuading him that he's on his side, all while ensuring that everyone else will appear to be against him. This is actually quite a bit like an abuser's tactics toward their victims. They isolate them, convince them that they have no support outside of their abuser. The truth is, while the Council may not look favorably upon Anakin, the one with the truly nefarious designs is Palpatine. But at this point he's ingratiated himself so much with Anakin that he's started to see him as his only ally.
The Council's reaction to this unorthodox appointment is....not a good boost for Anakin's self-esteem. He's allowed to the join their number -- grudgingly -- but he is not granted the rank of Master. Anakin's response isn't too far from a temper tantrum. It's pretty hard to watch. Palpatine has forced this moment of confrontation, when it's possible Anakin might have had more patience in gaining the rank of Master through normal means. Oh, he's ambitious and arrogant, no question, but maybe he could have curbed those baser instincts if not for this direct blow to his pride. He thought the rank was a sure thing; it was almost in his grasp, but now....now he's humiliated and chastised in front of the entire Jedi Council.
"Take a seat, young Skywalker."
Those simple words from Mace are brutal. Taking a seat on the Council is a tremendous honor, a position of great privilege and esteem. Now it has become a punishment, an insult, stripped of all its glory. Note as well the deliberate use of "young," as if to further remind Anakin of his inexperience and inferior position. Spoken differently, this phrase could be friendly, accommodating; an affable invitation. Mace's delivery makes it clear that it is the very opposite.
Anakin apologizes at last and sits, but the tone has already been set. He knows just how little the Council thinks of him, and they know just how volatile his pride has made him. Alas, as we'll see in the next scene, there is worse news coming for Anakin.
Next, poor Obi-Wan has to be the bearer of that bad news....
He gets to flatter Anakin, persuading him that he's on his side, all while ensuring that everyone else will appear to be against him. This is actually quite a bit like an abuser's tactics toward their victims. They isolate them, convince them that they have no support outside of their abuser. The truth is, while the Council may not look favorably upon Anakin, the one with the truly nefarious designs is Palpatine. But at this point he's ingratiated himself so much with Anakin that he's started to see him as his only ally.
The Council's reaction to this unorthodox appointment is....not a good boost for Anakin's self-esteem. He's allowed to the join their number -- grudgingly -- but he is not granted the rank of Master. Anakin's response isn't too far from a temper tantrum. It's pretty hard to watch. Palpatine has forced this moment of confrontation, when it's possible Anakin might have had more patience in gaining the rank of Master through normal means. Oh, he's ambitious and arrogant, no question, but maybe he could have curbed those baser instincts if not for this direct blow to his pride. He thought the rank was a sure thing; it was almost in his grasp, but now....now he's humiliated and chastised in front of the entire Jedi Council.
"Take a seat, young Skywalker."
Those simple words from Mace are brutal. Taking a seat on the Council is a tremendous honor, a position of great privilege and esteem. Now it has become a punishment, an insult, stripped of all its glory. Note as well the deliberate use of "young," as if to further remind Anakin of his inexperience and inferior position. Spoken differently, this phrase could be friendly, accommodating; an affable invitation. Mace's delivery makes it clear that it is the very opposite.
Anakin apologizes at last and sits, but the tone has already been set. He knows just how little the Council thinks of him, and they know just how volatile his pride has made him. Alas, as we'll see in the next scene, there is worse news coming for Anakin.
Next, poor Obi-Wan has to be the bearer of that bad news....
