The iconic Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith contains a pivotal scene that subtly highlights Emperor Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious, and his blatant disregard for the Sith’s Rule of Two. This principle asserts that there should only be one Sith master and one apprentice at any given time. However, throughout the saga of Star Wars films and television series, Palpatine has manipulated this doctrine, sparking numerous criticisms from fans and scholars alike. The prequel trilogy further sheds light on this dynamic, notably in Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi, which illustrates that Count Dooku was poised to be Sidious’ next apprentice even during the time of Darth Maul’s demise.
Simultaneously, Palpatine was grooming Anakin Skywalker to become his new apprentice while Dooku remained a loyal servant. This deceitful manipulation accounts for Dooku’s shock when Palpatine orders Anakin to kill him. The sequels also remind us that Sidious had plans to regain his power, yet he appeared indifferent to the idea of having an apprentice. Although the Sith Rule of Two was intended to solidify the future of the Sith, Palpatine frequently bent or outright broke this rule, with a significant moment in Revenge of the Sith illustrating this disregard.
The Rule of Two: Ensuring the Survival of the Strongest
The Apprentice’s Role: Overthrowing the Master
The Sith Rule of Two was conceptualized by Darth Bane as a protective measure for the Sith Order. Historically, the Sith have endangered their own existence due to unchecked ambitions for power. Recognizing the self-destructive nature of this cycle, Bane implemented this rule to prohibit the potentially catastrophic conflict among numerous Sith vying for dominance.
Instead of fostering chaos among a multitude of Sith, the Rule of Two mandates a singular master and an apprentice, with the master wielding power while the apprentice seeks it. This dynamic inevitably leads to the apprentice’s desire to usurp their master, with this power struggle culminating in combat. The intention was to ensure that with each new generation, the Sith would evolve into a more potent force.
Palpatine’s Violation of the Rule of Two: The Death of Plagueis
Sidious Disregards the Rules by Killing Plagueis in His Sleep
Revenge of the Sith starkly illustrates Palpatine’s lack of interest in adhering to the Rule of Two. In a memorable exchange, he poses the question to Anakin about the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise, revealing that Plagueis’s apprentice—who is, in fact, Palpatine himself—murdered him during sleep. By opting for this underhanded approach instead of defeating Plagueis in combat, Palpatine effectively dismantled the foundational tenets of the Sith Rule of Two, which emphasized the dominance of the stronger Sith.
This moment carries additional complexity; during the same dialogue, Palpatine explains that Plagueis possessed the incredible ability to create life and prevent the death of those he cherished. This implies that had Plagueis been given a fair chance and emerged victorious, he could have transferred his essence, potentially taking over Palpatine’s body. Thus, to eliminate any uncertainties regarding his domination, Palpatine resorted to deceit.
The Question: Why Didn’t Palpatine Care About the Rule of Two?
Palpatine’s Self-Serving Nature Takes Precedence
Ultimately, it’s hardly shocking that Palpatine was indifferent towards the Sith Rule of Two from the beginning. Across the expansive timeline of Star Wars, Palpatine consistently demonstrated a singular focus: his own power and survival. Though he maintained apprentices during both the prequel and original trilogies, these relationships primarily fulfilled his ambitions, such as when he manipulated Count Dooku to lead the Separatist movement to further his own schemes within the Clone Wars.
Moreover, Palpatine devised various strategies to ensure his hold on power, including the infamous Operation: Cinder. This contingency plan laid out his intent to obliterate everything in the event of his demise, preventing anyone else from ruling the Empire. Furthermore, his relentless pursuit of immortality indicates that he had little interest in transferring power to a successor.
At the end of the day, Palpatine’s actions revealed a pure self-interest. He displayed no genuine commitment to the future of the Sith; instead, his focus remained solely on maintaining his own power and dominance. The scene in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith not only affirms the inception of Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious’ disregard for the Sith Rule of Two but also underscores his long-standing intentions.
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