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Without a doubt, George Lucas’s original Star Wars star wars trilogy is one of if not the most influential piece of modern film. Modern popular culture is filled with Star Wars references and the trilogy, despite its less critically acclaimed prequels creating a rift between fans, still remains one of the most much love film sagas of all time. Episode V:The Empire Strikes back, released in 1980 wowed audiences the world over with its visual and special effects and the plot twist that Darth Vader is in fact the father of Luke Skywalker. Luke’s destiny as one of the last remaining “force” capable beings in the galaxy is to defeat his father and overthrow the Empire and Emperor for whom he serves. Luke questions his destiny several times throughout the film and only confronts Vader to save his friends and then unknown to him his twin sister Leia from a trap set by Vader to lure Luke to the Dark side and rule the galaxy with his son.
Whilst under training to defeat Vader and the Emperor under former Jedi Master Yoda, Luke struggles to come to terms about his destiny and questions the Jedi way of life and Yoda’s training methods. Roger Ebert in his 1997 review of the film says that “Yoda has just sent Luke Skywalker into a dark part of the forest to confront his destiny. Luke says a brave farewell. There is a cut to R2-D2 whirling and beeping. And then a cut back to Yoda, whose face reflects a series of emotions: Concern, sadness, a hint of pride” (Ebert, 1997). When Luke confronts his destiny, he confronts and defeats Vader only to realise that the slain Vader is in fact Luke himself only to realise that it was vision. As he consults Yoda on the meaning behind this, Luke learns that Vader is attempting to lure Luke into a trap and convert him to the Dark side by realising his pure anger and hatred out on Vader who has captured his friends Han Solo, Chewbacca, C3P0 and his sister Leia. Further consulting Yoda, Yoda states “If you leave now, help them you could. But you would destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.” This is the true meaning of tragedy: When attaining what you most desire leads to its very destruction” (Carlson, 2013).
Although he assists in rescuing his friends, he is defeated in a duel by Vader who reveals himself as Luke’s father. Accepting the ways of the force and realising that his destiny is to defeat Vader, the Empire and all that is evil in the galaxy, Luke plummets down the abyss of what is the inside of Bespin to be rescued in turn by Leia, Chewbacca and Bespin governor Lando Calrissian whilst Han Solo is taken away captive by the bounty hunter Baba Fett.
Despite earlier doubts about his destiny and the role he has been given to bring back harmony to the galaxy, Luke’s acceptance of his role later proves vital to the destruction of the empire, the mortally damaging re-conversion of Darth Vader to the good side of the force and eventual peace throughout the galaxy.
References
1. http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-empire-strikes-back-1997
Roger Ebert, The Empire Strikes Back, 1997
2. http://www.pajiba.com/pajiba_blockbusters/the-empire-strikes-back-review.php
David Carlson, Luminous Beings Are We, 2013
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