The Star Wars saga, can be viewed, not just as a mythic story of heroes, princesses and villains, but as a tragedy, the tragedy of Anakin Skywalker.
Anakin Skywalker? Darth Vader? A Tragic HERO?!? Yes, I know, this probably is drawing mixed reactions from people out there. Someone right now is saying to themselves, "This boy is nuts. Who let him out of his straightjacket?" Someone else is saying, "No! No! It's only the myth!" Someone is doubting that Anakin is a tragic person, while I'm equally certain that someone out there is agreeing with this is they read. Anyhow...allow me to present my case.
There are numerous requirements for one to be a tragic hero according to Shakespearean tradition. First, and foremost, the tragedy must lead up to and include, the death of said hero. The suffering and calamity of and surrounding this person must be exceptional. The person in question must be exceptional, generally of a high estate or power. The calamities that befall this hero are his/her own fault, through action, deed, or decision; they are not sent. These heroes are responsible for their own fall. Sometimes subordinate issues; infirmity of mind, supernatural influences, and chance influence the hero, but they are just that: subordinate. The fall is still in the hands of the hero.
Now, let's evaluate our favorite Padawan in these terms.
Well, we already know that this story leads up to the death of the hero. This is not exactly in question. Hopefully, no one will argue this point with me.
Next, you have the suffering and calamity. He spends most of his early life as a slave. He tortures himself over the death of his mother, and his inability to rescue her (regardless of who some people think he should blame, he does blame himself). The actual death of his mother, and the subsequent slaughter of a village of Tusken Raiders, which eats at his conscience. At first unrequited love. The disastrous fight with Count Dooku. The upcoming duel with Obi-Wan, leading to his being trapped in the armour of Darth Vader. The destruction of the ENTIRE JEDI ORDER! I think this qualifies as exceptional.
Third, that the person must be of high estate or power. Anakin is, the Jedi Order believes, the Chosen One. Probably one of the most promising Padawans seen by the Order in generations. Even just his status as a Jedi Knight places him in high estate. He stays as such, later on, as the Emperor's right hand man/machine.
Fourthly, that the calamities befalling this person are his or her own fault. Only two of the calamities that I've named were not Anakin's fault. First, his being a slave. This is where the subordinate idea of chance comes in. Also, one could argue that his tragedy had not begun yet, as he was not yet a person of high estate or power. The other is the death of his mother. Personally, I don't believe this one is his fault, or Obi-Wan's. I believe this is just chance showing its ugly head. Of course, this being his fault would also support this theory -- letting his mother die because he ignored the supernatural warnings he was given? Tsk, tsk. Some might argue that Anakin is being manipulated, and I agree. Palpatine is obviously tweaking him to be his new Dark Padawan. HOWEVER, with or without Palpatine's guidance, Anakin has already shown a recklessness and stubbornness, as well as a thirst for power, that would have been his undoing, with or without Palpatine's influence. Anakin has, I believe, a firm belief in the idea of an "enlightened despot," a person he gives vague reference to in the scene of Attack of the Clones on Naboo, during his picnic with Padmé. When he has finished describing how he believes the government should work, how they should be made to agree, Padmé remarks that his idea sounds remarkably like a dictatorship. To which Anakin replies -- "If it works." Now, the question is, does he believe that? I say, YES. He only laughs and plays it off because he knows how strongly she believes in democracy. We will come back to this.
There is a general pattern that tragic heroes follow which has -- suprise! -- 12 steps. They are as follows:
1) Man of High Estate.
We have a man of high estate, a king, prince, general, etc. Often, our first views of the hero
are skewed through the eyes and views of another, giving us a hint at their potential and
greatness.
2) A Flaw in Character.
We then become aware of a driving force within the hero, something that often at least
borders on obsession. We will also witness the nature of the inner torment he goes through
as he follows his obsession.
3) Intrusion of Time and a Sense of Urgency.
As the inner and outer conflicts the hero faces as he pursues his course intensify, we see
time becoming more and more important. A sense of urgency develops with the plot and the
conflict that not only creates tension, but also creates the effect of a kind of steamrolling
inevitability regarding the hero's fall that he has put into motion himself.
4) Misreadings and Rationalizations.
Contributing to, and furthering the obsession and the control of the tragic flaw, are
misreadings, supernatural suggestion, and accident or chance. Things happen a split-second
too late: the hero operates on what he believes to be the case rather than what he actually
knows to be the case. Soon they are one and the same thing to him.
5) Murder, Exile, Alienation of Enemies and Allies.
As the story continues, conflicts arise which cause the death or alienation of all of the hero's
former friends, allies, and/or mentors, eventually removing all forms of support for the hero.
He must face things alone.
6) Gradual Isolation of the Tragic Hero.
Soon the hero is isolated, brining on new problems: sleeplessness, rage, confusion,
hallucination, and violence.
7) Mobilization of the Opposition.
At some point, the opposing forces must mobilize against the hero in order to bring the
tragedy to its conclusion.
8) Tragic Recognition of the Flaw by the Tragic Hero: Too Late.
At some point, the hero must realize the mistake he has made that is bringing about his
demise. He must know that he, and he alone, is to blame for his downfall. However, this
recognition always comes to late to save the life of the hero.
9) Last, Courageous Attempt to Restore Lost Honor/Greatness.
While the hero's life is forfeit, he does, after Tragic Recognition, receive some chance to
redeem himself, at least a little. A display of courage, nobility of the heart, self-sacrifice,
something to show us that while he was someone who needed to be defeated, brought down,
or even a monster, he had good in him.
10) Audience Recognizes Potential for Greatness.
This is inevitably tied to the hero's attempt to restore his greatness. The audience must
recognize what a tragic waste the death of the hero is, what kind of person he could have
been had it not been for his mistakes and downfall.
11) Death of the Tragic Hero.
The Hero Must Die. Finito. The End.
12) Restoration of Order.
A central theme to all Shakespearean plays, tragedies and others. The natural order of
things must be reestablished.
Now, let's give Anakin a rundown on this:
1) Man of High Estate.
Our first opinions of Anakin come through Qui-Gon and Shmi, both of whom see extreme
potential in Anakin. "I may not like it, but he can help you. He was meant to help you."
"The Force is very strong with him." Later on, he becomes a Jedi Knight, and eventually
Darth Vader, the #2 man in the Empire.
2) A Flaw in Character.
"I will even learn to stop people from dying!" He is obsessed with becoming powerful. His
motives, originally were good. "I had a dream I was a Jedi. I came back and I freed all the
slaves." But by Attack of the Clones, it has taken a darker turn. Padmé -- "You're not all
powerful." Anakin -- "Well I SHOULD be!"
3) Intrusion of Time and a Sense of Urgency.
The steamroller effect has begun in Attack of the Clones, as Anakin is taking baby steps
toward the Dark Side. He has already shown a volatile streak, while dealing with Padmé and
the Clawgrip bounty hunter. "Tell us NOW!" His slaughter of the Tusken Raiders is a massive
step in the wrong direction, and he knows it. But it only pushes him in his obsession for
power even more.
4) Misreadings and Rationalizations.
Anakin and Obi-Wan misread Anakin's dreams, dismissing them as simply dreams. Chance
plays a cruel trick on Anakin when he arrives just in time to watch his own mother die.
Anakin rationalizes his inability to save his mother as proof of his own weakness and need for
power. He rationalizes the death of the Tuskens as well, even though he doesn't believe it
himself. "They're animals! And I slaughtered them like animals."
5) Murder, Exile, Alienation of Enemies and Allies.
Anakin has begun removing any form of support he might have later on with his marraige to
Padmé. He has, effectively, separated himself from the Jedi Order, through his own deed.
More of this will come, I believe in Episode III, as he draws himself more under
Palpatine/Sidious' wing, and seeks to destroy the Jedi Order. At some point or another, he
will also alienate his own wife and mentor.
6) Gradual Isolation of the Tragic Hero.
This is best shown through the rage and violence displayed by Darth Vader throughout
Episodes IV and V, though I believe again we will see it in Episode III.
7) Mobilization of the Opposition.
Although mainly directed at the Emperor, this is easily seen in the form of the Rebellion. The
man sent to kill Vader? Star Wars' own MacDuff to Vader's Macbeth, Luke Skywalker.
8) Tragic Recognition of the Flaw by the Tragic Hero: Too Late.
I'm not sure when it is exactly when Darth Vader realizes how far gone he himself has gone.
It may come either during or just before The Empire Strikes Back, and we see him making
offers to his son to rule the galaxy together. Or, it may not come until...
9) Last, Courageous Attempt to Restore Lost Honor/Greatness.
This comes when Vader realizes exactly who it is he's been working for all these years, and
saves the life of his son. Palpatine is not the enlightened despot of his dreams, but a cruel
tyrant. A fanatical madman. In a last attempt to save himself (spiritually, not physically) he
kills the man he had, until that moment, respected above all others.
10) Audience Recognizes Potential For Greatness.
The audience realizes (hopefully) watching Luke and Anakin together, that Anakin WAS
worth saving. However, Darth Vader had to be destroyed.
11) Death.
Vader, as we know, dies. As Anakin again, but he's still dead.
12) Restoration of Order.
The universe celebrates the death of the Emperor and Vader, and democracy will be restored
to the galaxy, or so we can hope. The End.
