“Attack of the Clones” marks the real fall of the Republic in “Star Wars”.
Tl;dr
- Attack of the Clones marks the true fall of the Republic in “Star Wars”.
- Palpatine becomes the de facto emperor by the end of the film.
- The Jedi Order is blinded by the dark side.
- Anakin Skywalker seals his fate by secretly marrying Padmé Amidala.
The Fall of the Republic: Attack of the Clones
More than just an episode of the Star Wars saga, Attack of the Clones represents the true fall of the Republic. While Revenge of the Sith is the last film of the trilogy, the Republic is already lost by the end of Episode II. In fact, the third episode rather marks the official rise of the Empire, with the Republic having fallen at the beginning of the Clone Wars.
Palpatine, the Emperor without a Crown
By the end of Attack of the Clones, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (alias Darth Sidious) is effectively the Emperor. Having manipulated the Republic Senate to obtain emergency powers, Palpatine effectively controls the galaxy long before the official rise of his Empire.
The Blinding of the Jedi Order
Likewise, Attack of the Clones reveals that the Jedi Order, blinded by the dark side of the Force and the rise of Palpatine, has lost its ability to foresee the future. Despite the growing threat of the dark side, the Jedi choose to maintain their position, a sign of their pride and refusal to acknowledge their vulnerabilities.
Anakin’s Marriage, a Prelude to His Fall
Furthermore, Anakin Skywalker’s secret marriage to Padmé Amidala seals the beginning of his fall. His new attachments make it easier for Palpatine to seduce him to the dark side in Revenge of the Sith. Anakin’s marriage to Padmé at the end of Episode II foreshadows the end of Anakin’s Jedi path and his turn to the dark side as Darth Vader.
What do we think?
In conclusion, Attack of the Clones is much more than just an episode of the Star Wars saga. It is a witness to a fall, that of the Republic and Anakin Skywalker, and a prelude to the rise of an Empire. The film warns us of the dangers of pride, blindness, and excessive attachments. It reminds us that even the noblest can fall, and that no one is immune to the dark side.