Avirat Kampani
The Star Wars saga is an extremely popular series of science fiction movies based in the future and in outer space. The saga is known for its many beloved characters, but for this blogpost I will be focusing on the character of Anakin Skywalker or more popularly known as Darth Vader. I will be investigating the personality disorders depicted through the character and critiquing how the disorders are depicted through Anakin and speaking a little about how he developed them. I chose the character of Anakin Skywalker because his story depicts him turning from the potential protagonist to the primary antagonist of the story and displays aspects of these disorders through the process. In this blog I will be critiquing a few scenes from the movies that can potentially explain the development of these disorders and then critiquing displays of characteristics of these disorders by Anakin.
The primary
disorders depicted through Anakin are borderline personality disorder and
narcissistic personality disorder. The characteristics that Anakin displays
that indicate he has borderline personality disorder are his impulsive and erratic
behaviors his recurring fits of anger and even his identity crisis. The
indicators of his narcissistic personality disorder are his arrogant attitude
caused by his prodigal status and excellent skills, his lack of empathy and his
obsession with power and immortality.
Since a young age
Anakin had the perception that he was capable of exceptional things and was
extremely confident in himself. As a child Anakin was an exceptional engineer,
he created and repaired complex technological objects for example he created
the C-3PO droid and repaired multiple crafts for his pod racing. Anakin was
also exceptionally skilled and had enough confidence as a pre-teen child to go
up against skilled pod racers and even defeat them. Another factor that could
contribute to his narcissistic personality as an adult could be his time spent
as a slave. Going from the status of a slave to one of the greatest warriors in
the galaxy can have a major impact on one’s self-image and perception of
others. The theme of powerless to powerful is a recurring one in this saga, the
journey from powerless to powerful can inculcate narcissistic views within the
mind of the individual making the journey, making them believe that they are
destined for greater things and better that the people around them. The experience
of being born a slave can also be viewed as a traumatic event, even though
Anakin did not necessarily view it as a traumatic experience it can still be a subconscious
traumatic factor that could have led to the personality disorders.
The first instance
where Anakin’s disorder was displayed was right after one of the most traumatic
events of his life. Anakin’s mother whom he had not seen for years was
kidnapped by a group of Tusken raiders; the native species of the planet where Anakin’s
mother had settled. They captured and tortured her because they did not like
the settlers on their planet. Anakin rushed to help his mother as he found out
but once he reached her, he was too late, His mother uttered her last words to
him and passed away in his arms because of the torture. Anakin was enraged and proceeded
to slaughter the entire village of the native species including innocent women
and children. This event displayed the lack of empathy, impulsiveness and anger
brought on by Anakin’s Narcissistic personality disorder and borderline
personality disorder and the traumatic event that potentially led to the
unveiling of these disorders.
Another aspect
that could reflect his narcissistic tendencies is his relationship with his
wife. As a Jedi Anakin was not allowed to be betroth to anyone as stated by the
higher ups. Anakin still refused to follow this law and secretly wed his wife
which could be another reflection of his grandiose personality as he believed
he was above the law. Another factor that contributed to his narcissism and
belief that he was better than his peers was his awareness about his DNA. When
his blood was tested it was found that his blood contained a special component
that Jedis have called midichlorians and to add to this as a young boy Anakin
had more midichlorians than one of the most powerful Jedi’s. The knowledge of
this only added to his self-promoting nature. Anakin then began dreaming of the
death of his wife and since most Jedi’s are connected to “The Force” a source
of energy that the Jedi use to their advantage. This Force also gives them
visions of the future. Anakin had also dreamt about the death of his mother
before it happened. These dreams about his wife led him to become desperate and
easy to manipulate by the enemy. Anakin was manipulated by the enemy into
thinking they can save his wife and eventually betraying the Jedi.
After his betrayal
Anakin began displaying more characteristics akin to borderline personality
disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. Anakin slaughtered a bunch of
children who were training to become Jedis displaying unwarranted violence, and
lack of empathy. He then dueled his Jedi master with the intent of killing him
displaying grandiosity, lack of empathy, unwarranted violence and impulsiveness.
Anakin also tried to justify betraying the Jedis to his wife by saying he could
takeover the republic and establish the empire which only displays his
narcissistic tendencies. After the death of his wife, he completely succumbed to
his narcissistic and violent tendencies even knowingly trying to kill his own
children on multiple occasions while also trying to make his son join him. The character
of Anakin Skywalker is an effective portrayal of how these personality
disorders affect an individual overtime, the portrayal of these disorders was
not completely accurate since it was depicted in a science fiction movie with
extraordinary circumstances.
Padm Amidala (Canon). (n.d.).
Wookieepedia. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Padm%C3%A9_Amidala?so=search#Death
Wiki Targeted (Entertainment).
(n.d.). Wookieepedia. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Shmi_Skywalker_Lars#:%7E:text=Prior%20to%20leaving%20for%20his,would%20return%20and%20free%20her
Tusken Raider (Canon). (n.d.). Wookieepedia.
https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Tusken_Raider
Who Knew Darth Vader was Anakin
Skywalker? (n.d.). Wookieepedia. https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Anakin_Skywalker#Accepting_the_dark_side
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