When Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side and became Darth Vader in Revenge of the Sith, he committed one of the most heinous acts in the Star Wars franchise: killing the youngling.
Following this, in one of the most climactic scenes of the film, Anakin travels to the volcanic planet of Mustafar on the orders of Darth Sidious, where he is tasked with destroying the Separatist leaders who have gathered there.
However, upon arriving on Mustafar, Anakin is confronted by his former mentor and friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has been sent to stop him. In the ensuing lightsaber duel, Obi-Wan gains the upper hand and Anakin is left severely injured, his limbs hacked off and lying on the volcanic ground.
As Obi-Wan departs, leaving Anakin to suffer and die, the former Jedi is seen weeping bitterly. But what was the cause of Anakin’s tears on Mustafar, aside from his physical pain?
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Mustafar |
| Climate | Volcanic, rocky, and extremely hot |
| Terrain | Lava rivers, rocky canyons, black sand beaches |
| Dominant Species | None |
| Native Species | Mustafarians |
| Affiliation | Separatists, Galactic Empire |
| Key Events | Duel between Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Base for Darth Vader and Inquisitors, Mining operations for rare resources |
| Notable Locations | Darth Vader’s Castle, Mining facilities |
| First Appearance | Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) |
The Loss of Padmé
One possible explanation for Anakin’s tears is the loss of Padmé Amidala, the woman he loves. In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin is plagued by visions of Padmé dying in childbirth, and he becomes convinced that only by joining the dark side and learning the ways of the Sith can he save her.
However, his transformation into Darth Vader ultimately leads to Padmé’s death, as his anger and thirst for power cause him to turn on her in a fit of rage. It’s possible that as Anakin lay dying on Mustafar, he was overcome with grief and regret at the loss of the woman he loved.
The Betrayal of Obi-Wan
Another possible explanation for Anakin’s tears is the sense of betrayal he feels at the hands of his former mentor and friend, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin and Obi-Wan had been through many trials and tribulations together, and Anakin had always looked up to Obi-Wan as a father figure.
However, when Anakin turned to the dark side, Obi-Wan was tasked with stopping him, and their friendship was shattered. As Obi-Wan left Anakin to die on Mustafar, it’s possible that Anakin was weeping not just for his physical pain, but for the loss of his relationship with Obi-Wan.
The Realisation of What He Had Become
Finally, it’s possible that Anakin’s tears were simply the result of the realisation of what he had become. In turning to the dark side, Anakin had given in to his anger and fear, and had committed unspeakable acts in service of the Sith.
As he lay there on the volcanic planet, crippled and alone, it’s possible that Anakin was overwhelmed by the gravity of what he had done, and was weeping out of a sense of sorrow and regret.
Image: Star Wars
