Skip to main content

star wars - Was Luke aware the Emperor was a Sith Lord?


Similar to Did the Rebellion know that that the Emperor was the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, I'm asking the more specific question, was Luke aware that the Emperor was a Sith Lord? I don't recall it being mentioned in any of the films.


If yes, at what point does he learn this? If not why did Yoda or Obi-Wan not warn him? Perhaps he could have avoided being defenseless and struck by Force Lightning if he'd been made aware?



Answer




Yoda and Obi-Wan did not tell Luke that the Emperor was specifically a "Sith Lord". However, some of the things Yoda and Obi-Wan told Luke heavily implied that the Emperor was a Sith Lord. The most conclusive one is from Yoda:



Do not underestimate the powers of the Emperor, or suffer your father's fate, you will.


Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi



From that statement Luke must know that the Emperor has powers, which Luke knows come from the Force.


Later, after Luke gave himself up to capture by the Empire, Luke and Vader converse. Vader mentions that the Emperor is his "master" and that the Emperor knows the nature of the Force:



Vader: You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master.


Luke: I will not turn...and you'll be forced to kill me.



Vader: It is too late for me, son. The Emperor will show you the true nature of the Force. He is your master now.


Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi



Luke did not act surprised when Vader told him this, so it seems Luke put two and two together from the statements by Yoda and Obi-Wan and figured out that the Emperor was a Sith Lord (or, at the very least, a powerful user of the dark side of the Force).


Luke's shock (heh) at the Emperor's Force Lightning and the Emperor's statement that Luke has a "lack of vision" can be explained by the fact that



  • Luke has never seen Force Lightning (Vader can't use it).

  • Luke's "lack of vision" is in the power of the dark side. The Emperor is convinced he's going to win because, unlike Luke, he believes Vader can't be redeemed.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

harry potter - Did Dolores Umbridge Have Any Association with Voldemort (or Death Eaters) before His Return?

I noticed that Dolores Umbridge was born during the first Wizarding War, so it's very likely she wasn't a Death Eater then (but she is pretty evil -- who knows?). After that Voldemort was not around in a way that could affect many people, and most wouldn't know he was planning to rise again. During that time, and up through Voldemort's return (in Goblet of Fire ), did Umbridge have any connection with the Death Eaters or with Voldemort? Was she doing what she did on her own, or was it because of an association with Voldemort or his allies? Answer Dolores Umbridge was definitely not a good person. However, as Sirius points out, "the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters". Remember that he also says that he doesn't believe Umbridge to be a Death Eater, but that she's evil enough (or something like that). I think there are two strong reasons to believe that: Umbridge was proud to do everything according to the law, except when she trie...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is the etymology of Doctor Who?

I recently decided to watch Doctor Who, and started viewing the 2005 version. I have the first two episodes from the first season, and I can't help but wonder what is the etymology of the name "Doctor Who"? And why does the protagonist call himself "the Doctor" (or is it "the doctor")? Answer In the very first episode of Doctor Who (way back in 1963), the Doctor has a granddaughter going by the name "Susan Foreman", and the junkyard where the TARDIS is has the sign "I.M. Foreman". Barbara, who becomes one of the Doctor's companions, calls him "Doctor Foreman" (probably assuming that is his name given his relationship to Susan), and Ian (another early companion) does the same in the second episode, to which the Doctor says: Eh? Doctor who? What's he talking about? "Foreman" is most likely selected as a convenient surname for Susan to use because it happened to be on display near where the TARDIS landed....
Post a Comment
Read more

story identification - Animation: floating island, flying pests

At least 20 years ago I watched a short animated film which stuck in my mind. The whole thing was wordless, possibly European, and I'm pretty sure I didn't imagine it... It featured a flying island which was inhabited by some creatures who (in my memory) reminded me of the Moomins. The island was frequently bothered by large winged animals who swooped around, although I don't think they did any actual damage. At the end one of the moomin creatures suddenly gets a weird feeling, feels forced to climb to the top of the island and then plunges down a shaft right through the centre - only to emerge at the bottom as one of the flyers. Answer Skywhales from 1983. The story begins with a man warning the tribe of approaching skywhales. The drummers then warn everybody of the hunt as everyone get prepared to set "sail". Except one man is found in his home sleeping as the noise wake him up. He then gets ready and is about to take his weapon as he hesitates then decides ...
Post a Comment
Read more