Similarities Between Mythology and Star Wards

Throughout the movie, Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith, there are many themes that are prevalent not only in the movie, but also in Greek and Roman mythology. One such theme would be characters presented as tragic heroes. In this modern movie, Anakin Skywalker is considered such a person. This theme is supported by the concepts of hamartia, peripteia, and anagnorisis.

The first of these concepts, harmartia, is an error or mistake. This term can be seen through the example of Anakin Skywalker. The young Jedi makes a crucial mistake which ends up bringing out the dark side of his personality. He does not detach his feeling of love for Padme as taught by the Jedi. This error allowed him to give into his fear and anger that Padme might die in childbirth. Due to this mistake, Anakin turns to the dark side and becomes known as Darth Vader. However, Anakin himself is never made to be seen as an evil person. Although Anakin and Darth Vader are the same person, they are symbolically separated. Darth Vader is the personified dark side of Anakin. Obi-Won Kenobi, along with Yoda, repeatedly spoke highly of the young Jedi, saying he was a "good man" and a "powerful Jedi." On the other hand, Darth Vader is said to be "evil and twisted." This error of judgement, combined with external influences, makes Anakin a tragic hero throughout the movie series.

Peripteia, a reversal in the plot, is displayed through the Jedi's sudden understanding that the Chancellor, Palpatine, is evil, and indeed Darth Sidious. This is also shown when Anakin decides to assist the Chancellor in killing Mace Windu. The sudden actions of Anakin complete his transformation to the dark side. This rapid change in events throws the Jedi and the Senate in a loop as the situation begin to spiral out of control.

The last concept, anagnorisis, or a recognition, is evident when Obi-Won Kenobi realizes that he let his love for Anakin blind him to what and who he was truly turning into. Once Obi-Won saw the shift in Anakin's personality, he tried his best to reason with his prior apprectince. When this proves to be unsuccessful, the Jedi master leaves Anakin permanently disabled but alive. This moment of clarity allows Obi-Won to temporarily stop Anakin, and help the remaining Jedi to go into hiding