How and why Anakin Skywalker went to the dark side: Who is Darth Vader?

Darth Vader, who quickly became an icon after the first movie was released in 1977, is such a character that his name comes to mind first when Star Wars is mentioned. So, who is Darth Vader? Let's get to know the character of the ruthless Sith lord Darth Vader.

Darth Vader was born on the planet Tatooine in 41.9 BBY. Darth Vader, who entered the cinema world with the first Star Wars movie released in May 1977, is also the son of a slave named Shmi Skywalker.

Vader, who had to do various jobs from an early age because his mother was a slave, was called Anakin Skywalker before he became the Sith Lord. Anakin's main mission, which was inseminated by Midi-Chlorians, is to destroy the Sith lineage forever. However, Vader Midi-Chlorians rebelled and sided with the Sith and became their Lord.

Darth Vader is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. The character is the central antagonist of the original trilogy and, as Anakin Skywalker, is one of the main protagonists in the prequel trilogy. Star Wars creator George Lucas has collectively referred to the first six episodic films of the franchise as "the tragedy of Darth Vader". Darth Vader has become one of the most iconic villains in popular culture, and has been listed among the greatest villains and fictional characters ever. His masked face and helmet, in particular, is one of the most iconic character designs of all time.

Vader, the hero of the Jedi and the Clone Wars before turning to the dark side, was also the most powerful hero in the galaxy when he was Anakin Skywalker. While Vader has the potential to become the most powerful Jedi, he is the most powerful Sith Lord and his biggest goal in this process is to save the people he loves.

Anakin, who set out for this purpose, was dragged to the dark side and while he was known as the most powerful Jedi, he suddenly became known as the most powerful Sith Lord. In order to understand Vader in this part, it is necessary to know how he turned from Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader. If you wish, let's briefly touch on Vader's transformation story without going off-topic.

Darth Vader's Transformation Story (CONTAINS SPOILERS)

Darth Vader's transformation story actually tells Yoda's words, "Fear is the path to the dark side." “Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred, hatred leads to suffering” summarizes the words.

As we mentioned under the title of who is Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker was always afraid of losing his loved ones. This fear dragged him to the dark side and turned him into a ruthless Sith Lord. Just like Yoda said, "This fear becomes his path to the Dark Side..."

As you know, Anakin was born as a Jedi with vision abilities. Anakin, who can see some of the events that may happen in the future before they happen, can thus more or less see where the events may lead, even if indirectly.

Unfortunately, this ability forced Anakin to confront his fear. As you can see in the movie, Anakin foresees the death of his mother, the person he values most in life, and cannot prevent it. Our character, who has imprisoned himself in this fear, experiences what he fears and learns that his mother was kidnapped by a group of Tusken Raiders.

Anakin, enraged by this incident, sets out on a painful quest to find and save his mother. Anakin finds his mother near death. But no matter what he does, he cannot prevent his mother from dying, and his mother, the person he values most in life, takes her last breath in Anakin's arms.

I tried to express the pain Anakin felt in this part with words, but I could not find a cover for this pain with words. That's why I'm leaving you with this painful scene and taking a short break.

These scenes you have just watched bring to light the dark side of Anakin. In short, the greatest pain a child experiences turns him into a cruel being. Upon this pain, he slaughters all the Tusken Raiders. Not only that, it also kills defenseless children and their mothers. This is the first and most important step in Anakin Skywalker becoming Darth Vader.

The most important emotion for Anakin, who is not as innocent and loving as before, is hatred. Our character, who begins to feed on hatred, is once again left alone with his fears. Anakin, who saw the death of Padme, the woman he loved, wants to prevent this in order to avoid experiencing the same pain again.

However, we must point out that Anakin is still a Jedi, and Jedi are forbidden from marrying each other. Considering that Padme is also a Jedi, we can easily understand what kind of predicament Anakin is in. Fear is the greatest emotion in Anakin's transformation into the Dark Lord!

A lot of things happen from time to time. During this chain of events, it is revealed that Palpatine is actually Darth Sidious. Darth Sidious's goal is to turn Anakin, the most powerful Jedi, to the dark side. It also succeeds in this aim. In this part, that memorable line appears.

Our desperate character, who asks Darth Sidious for help to keep Padme alive, cannot prevent what will happen even if he turns to the Dark Side. In this episode, Padme loses all her will to live when she learns that Anakin has switched to the Dark Side and slaughtered even newborn children.

And as Anakin predicted, she dies during childbirth. Anakin, who was left alone with pain on this journey he embarked on to save his wife and children, has now become Darth Vader.

Padme Death Scene:

Anakin, who lost his Padme after his mother, has become such a cruel character that we cannot even explain it. As for who Darth Vader is, I would like to end with Obi Van Kenobi's words. Actually, this line summarizes everything I wrote.

”You were the chosen one! You were told you would destroy the Sith, not join them! You were to bring balance to the Force, not abandon it to darkness! You were my brother, Anakin! I loved you!"