With the exception of Darth Sidious, who is most true to the classic mythic function of the evil arch-villain, no one seems to be really in control of these events: In keeping with postmodernism which sees a complex chaos in the place where the simple, universal truths used to appear, the Jedi are just swept along by a current of events rapidly spinning out of control – a complete mess they co-created with their own pride and arrogance but are no longer able to see through. Instead, they grasp for every straw that promises to lift them out of this current: When Obi-Wan Kenobi discovers a mysterious army of clones in Attack of the Clones that was ordered in the name of the Republic by unknown individuals, the Jedi are understandably concerned. Nevertheless, when push comes to shove they use this army against the threat of a separatist movement, thereby involuntarily sealing their own fate, since the clones have been secretly programmed to respond to a certain code-phrase. In Revenge of the Sith, Darth Sidious transmits this phrase to the clones who immediately turn against their Jedi masters and kill all but a handful.

The person who is pushed and poked around the most is probably Anakin Skywalker – the one who appears to be the mythic hero at the beginning of the prequel trilogy. He seems almost like a puppet whose strings are pulled to and fro by everyone in an attempt to win the powerful "Chosen One", as which he is identified by the Jedi in The Phantom Menace, over to the one’s own side. This situation brings out the worst in him, making Anakin an ideal example of the characters that are just shades of gray instead of being clearly good or evil. While Anakin has a strong sense of justice and only wants to help everyone, he is also arrogant, overambitious and has serious problems controlling his darker impulses. When his mother is abducted, Anakin reaches her just before she dies of her wounds. He then not only ignores the Jedi codex by exercising revenge on the kidnappers but also slaughters their entire families. As mythic role model of just chivalry Anakin fails on every level, even though he is at other times capable of deeds of great courage. It is difficult to call him either clearly 'good' or 'bad' which is typical of postmodern characters – and something that irritates those subconsciously expecting a tale with the structure of the Monomyth, as is apparent in the letters distressed mothers sent to the movies' production company Lucasfilm to complain that the great hero of their sons ends up murdering children in Revenge of the Sith.

In this last installment, things do indeed go from bad to worse: When his wife Padme becomes pregnant, Anakin is haunted by visions of her dying during childbirth. Darth Sidious takes advantage of this by offering a way of saving Padme, telling Anakin of his former master Darth Plagueis who supposedly had the ability to use the Force to stop people from dying – a power of the Dark Side. Unable to bear the thought of losing his beloved wife, Anakin makes a pact with the devil. "I will do whatever you ask of me", he says to Sidious. "Just help me save Padme." Here the person who seems to be the hero at the beginning of The Phantom Menace ends up pledging his life to the arch-villain.

Anakin's erratic behavior constantly puts him at odds with his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although they are very much like father and son, they continually argue. So do the heroes in the original trilogy, of course, but there this is more a matter of witty banter that does not leave any serious doubts that they are all on the same side. Anakin’s and Obi-Wan’s struggle, on the other hand, is absolutely real – and ends with them fighting a battle to the death in Revenge of the Sith.

Page 7/9