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Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis The Wise?
Have I ever ...?
With all due respect freamon, that's like asking if Yoda has ever heard of cocaine
I have a doctorate in Darth Plagueis the Wise studies and wrote my thesis on the use of dichotomy inherent within the tale with a particular focus on the the intent of the meta-narrative.How is it possible? At my tender age?
Well, I first heard the story the moment I set foot in the Jedi temple.
Master Windu, as it turns out, likes telling everyone who walks in his version of events.
Master Windu utilised colourful language, coupled with many metaphors that, even now, I can't penetrate.
But it's thanks to him, I decided to devote my life to studying the tale.
If you'll indulge me a spell, freamon: As you're no doubt well-aware, on a surface pedestrian-level reading, the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise is the story of a man discovering the secret to immortality but failing to utilize it to retain his own life. However, thematically the story is actually about the inherent nature of duality in the day-to-day life of the average being and the finality and inescapable reality of death irrespective of our personal power or position. The sub textual narrative is in my view far more interesting than the simplistic - if you'll excuse the perhaps over harsh critique - chronology of cause and effect present within the given tale and indeed any given tale. But that's perhaps a conversation for another day.
Regardless, in my view the subtext and depth of narrative offered by the the tragedy of Darth Plagueis is the Wise is perhaps the greatest of any short story ever penned.
A rich exploration of what it means to be a sapient being and the often paradoxical nature therein.
Consider freamon: many of the activities we do to feel alive often bring us closer to or risks our deaths.
Who amongst us has not wished for something to be over faster, yet in so doing are we not wishing our death closer?
Well regardless, the dichotomous nature of the tale is inherent within even the very title.
Darth Plagueis is described to us as wise and yet he underwent a tragedy. This is only amplified by the revelation that the tragedy was of his own making. Functionally, by his own hand and hubris.Yet, that's scarcely scratching the surface of the tale.
Darth Plagueis sought immortality yet in so doing invited death and this paradoxically came in the form of his Apprentice. One who he should have been more learned than and who should have been his closest confidant.
Even the meta-narrative is underpinned with the continued use of dichotomy and here is where my expertise truly lies.
We see in the way the tale is often introduced: portrayed as a 'Sith Legend' which the Jedi wouldn't want or be able to tell you.
Functionally it serves as a kind of forbidden fruit. Something you shouldn't want and yet do.
Finally there's the motif: life and death - the tantalizing possibility of the conquest of the latter but succumbing to.
It's my personal opinion that the story isn't actually a mere fanciful tale nor even a sober recounting of historical events. Despite the scholarly consensus tending toward the former, I believe the tale is actually intended to be utilized by the apprentice of the titular Darth Plagueis the Wise. Now seeking his own apprentice, utilizing the demise of his master.
It would, I think you'd agree freamon, slot neatly in with the broader themes of dichotomy but, alas at present my theories remain on the fringes of mainstream academic discourse.
Of course, interest with respect to my school of thought, though admittedly small, is growing and currently enjoying something of a vogueish je ne sais quoi.
And naturally I am learned in the other schools of thought surrounding the tragedy
For instance, consider: Plagueis could use the force to influence the midichlorians ... yet midichlorians are what allow for the use of the force, so Plagueis was functionally using the midichlorians to influence the midichlorians!Apologies, that typically gets a laugh in the academic circles.
Such a lens, when applied to the tragedy of Darth Plagueis is the Wise is typically referred to as the paradoxical or tautological school of thought, wherein the themes are thought to be ouroboric in nature.
Regardless freamon, that was only a layman summation of the overarching thrust of my thesis. I didn't want to bore you with too many details. Suffice to say that I am very much familiar with the story you brought up and indeed it's something of a personal passion, not to mention my life's work