"Anakin Can't Be Redeemed": 20 Years Ago, George Lucas Explained Why Darth Vader Hero Worship Is So Misguided

"Anakin Can't Be Redeemed": 20 Years Ago, George Lucas Explained Why Darth Vader Hero Worship Is So Misguided

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Andor season 2, episode 3.There's no doubt that Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vaderhas become perhaps the most recognizable character of all time, but this Star Warsvillain is far from a hero, something even George Lucas himself has attested to. As a villain who's been around for nearly 50 years now, having been established in one of the most iconic movies ever made, Vader is now a pure cultural icon. The adm…

The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker

Aristotle wrote that the perfect tragic hero is “neither very good nor very wicked…not outstanding in moral excellence;” however, while he need not be exceptionally good, he must have “good moral purpose.” His downfall, then, should not be the result of any crime knowingly committed, but a mistake or hamartia, for tragedy to elicit the appropriate pity, fear, and ultimate catharsis. 1 The trajectory of Anakin’s story qualitatively follows more o…