Luke: “Leia, do you remember your mother, your real mother?”

Leia: “Just a little bit. She died when I was very young.”

Luke: “What do you remember?”

Leia: “Just images really, feelings.”

Luke: “Tell me.”

Leia: “She was very beautiful, kind, but sad. Why are you asking me this?”

Luke: “I have no memory of my mother. I never knew her.”

 

The above dialog is absolutely, positively, one of the most poignant and emotional moments of the entire Star Wars Saga. With that said, I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Such an impactful scene with a magnitude of revelations and yet, it opened up another sarlacc pit of wonderment. Who wasn’t curious about this mysterious woman that gave birth to these separated, force sensitive twins?

Padme Naberrie Amidala Skywalker :

1.)Queen of Naboo 2.)Galactic Senator 3.)Wife of the “Chosen One” (Anakin Skywalker) 4.)Mother of Jedi Knight Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa. That’s quite the list of impressive credentials. There are not many, if any, that could’ve held a candle to her and all that she represented during her short-lived life. Her beauty was exquisite, her selflessness was immeasurable, and she loved unconditionally.

Personally, she is my favorite female character of the Saga. She exemplifies the core meaning of her name, “Padme”: lotus, which symbolizes wisdom. The whole name, “Om Mani PADME Hum” also symbolizes such characteristics as: pure exalted body and speech [Om] and purity by unity of wisdom [Hum]. Translation: In theory, a path in which and indivisible union of method and wisdom, one can transform the impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body. This is best known as Buddha or Buddhism. Perhaps, this is better explained, or at least quite similar to this description given by Yoda and Qui-Gon Jinn: “Eternal Life….”

“The ultimate goal of the Sith, yet they can never achieve it; it comes only through the release of self, not the exaltation of self. It comes through compassion, not greed. Love is the answer to the darkness.”

It’s definitely interesting to see the comparison(s), even more intriguing because Padme was not a Jedi/Force sensitive.

Getting back on track, Padme was a very powerful political figure in the Republic Senate. She typically could sway her colleagues, even those on the opposing side(s), in her favor and resourceful enough to avoid several assassination attempts on her life. The woman was not to be underestimated, yet she could not contain/control her personal affairs, aka: marriage. Anakin had matched her “Powerful Stature” equally, if not, more so.

With all of that being said, how is it that she died such an untimely death? Perhaps, we will never really know or completely understand the reasoning behind it, which is what makes it so controversial amongst the fandom.

Not everyone agrees with her “losing the will to live” line, I will admit, it is a hard one to swallow. Given all we know of her character strengths, it just doesn’t seem plausible, does it? This topic has been blogged/discussed/dissected more times than I can remember, but it’s definitely worth the rehashing/debating, at least to me.

Before I begin theorizing, let me just reiterate, that this is just my own opinions/musings/ideas on what I think/believe may, or may have not, been the reason(s) for Padme’s demise. What I hope to gain by all of this? To hopefully spark some new thoughts, questions, and interests in our fandom.

“She has lost the will to live.”

A medical droid delivers this message to Obi-wan, Yoda, and Bail Organa before the delicate delivery of the twins. All present seem to be stunned by this news, even Obi-wan chimes in, as if he were trying to clarify the diagnosis, “She’s dying?”

Please keep in mind, the medical droid only knows how to decipher scientific scenarios, not matters concerning “human behaviors.” As Obi-wan once said, “If droids could think, there’d be none of us here, would there?” There IS a distinct difference between, Knowledge and Wisdom.

Going with the Knowledge route, it was stated that there was nothing medically wrong with Padme, but she had lost her will to live. So WHY did she die? Intriguing, isn’t it? Didn’t they (Obi-wan, Bail, and Yoda) want to know? That has always baffled me, especially since the Jedi have always been known to save others. Wasn’t Padme worth the effort? Or was it something else, something more….elusive?

“Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident.”- Qui-Gon Jinn

As the wise, Qui-Gon Jinn stated, everything happens for a reason. So on the Wisdom side of things, Padme’s death was not by chance. Perhaps she was chosen, by something else, something unexplainable; the Force. Is this possible? Why not? According to Jedi prophecy, the Force selected it’s very own savior, known as the “Chosen One.” So how is this any different?

Let’s explore.

If the force did pick Padme to carry and deliver Anakin’s offspring, then her time among the living, physical force was complete. In other words, she had met her destiny and carried out the ultimate sacrifice; delivering a New Hope to the Galaxy. Is there anything more noble or selfless than giving up your own life for others? I’d have to say no and quite frankly, very befitting and true to her character. It also ties in nicely with her statement from AOTC, “I’m not afraid to die. I’ve been dying a little each day since you came back into my life.” Quite possibly the Force was already foreshadowing her fate.

We could also romance it a bit too and say that the two, Star-crossed lovers died of broken hearts. That as Anakin’s soul died on the operating table and the persona of Vader took control, Padme let go as well. Soul-mates are noted as being One Entity, living harmoniously with an intense connection. That certainly depicts the bond between Anakin and Padme. The price they paid for such a short time of togetherness, the repercussions, and all the lives lost, was it worth it? You know what they say about love, “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

One more notion, if you will, please do not throw poodoo my way after this musing.

Have any of you seen or read the Twilight Saga? Yep, there you have it, the flying poodoo. Ok, so here’s what I’m proposing. Is it feasible to think that Padme a human, (like Bella Swan) could have died because the pregnancy was not compatible with her body?

Padme was carrying two force sensitive beings in her human body. Could it have been too much for her and possibly drained the life force from her? Like Padme, Bella was carrying a hybrid child, much too powerful for her frail, human body and it ultimately killed her. *SPOILERS* my apologies for those who haven’t seen it yet and are planning to.

So, what do you think? Was Padme’s death unjustified? Or do you think she made the ultimate sacrifice and thus, making her the true heroine of the Star Wars Saga?

As for me, I choose to believe that the Force selected her, much like it chose one before her; Shmi Skywalker.

Both women were strong and put the ones they loved before anything or anyone else. They were selfless and had the emotional backbone to let go or stay behind, in order for the ones they loved to grow, flourish, and even supersede a lost legacy. That to me, is probably the most quintessential act of surrender, for the “Greater Good” one could ever give; their life for another’s.

“I’ve never given much thought to how I would die, but dying in the place of someone I love seems like a good way to go…”-Bella Swan

 

I really hope you enjoyed my broodings. If there’s anything you’d like me to discuss in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask. Leave me a comment and I’ll be sure to respond, or contact me directly at beccab@coffeewithkenobi.com

Remember, this IS the Podcast you’re looking for!

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