Darth Vader
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 considered one of the most iconic character designs of all time.
| Star Wars character | |
 Cosplay of Darth Vader | |
| First appearance | Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) |
|---|---|
| Created by | George Lucas |
| Portrayed by | David Prowse Bob Anderson Hayden Christensen (Episode II and Episode III) |
| Voiced by | James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader) |
| Nickname(s) | Ani |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Jedi Sith |
| Relatives | Padmé Amidala (spouse) Luke Skywalker (son) Leia Organa (daughter) Ben Solo (grandchild) Shmi Skywalker (mother) |
Character history
Born as Anakin Skywalker, a slave on the desert planet Tatooine who became a Jedi. As an adult, he secretly marries Padmé Amidala. However, he is converted by Darth Sidious in order to save his wife from her coming death during childbirth. In order to do that, he learns the ways of the Dark Side of the Force and gives himself a new identity, Darth Vader. By doing this, he turned against his long-time friend and master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He battled Kenobi on the volcanic planet of Mustafar, but not before choking his wife with his Force Choke due to rage and misunderstanding. The battle ended in Kenobi's victory. Consequently, Vader's left arm and both his legs were cut off and his entire body was burnt. He survived and was rescued by the newly elected Emperor of the Galactic Empire, Darth Sidious, and have his body remade with cybernetic parts and his famous black armor and helmet. Anakin lost the last of his spirit once he learned that his wife died at his own hand. Thus Anakin Skywalker's transformation as Darth Vader was complete, much to Sidious' delight.
During the course of the Galactic Civil War between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, Vader played an important role as the Empire's enforcer and the Emperor's second-in-command, particularly the building of the two Death Stars, the Battle of Yavin, and the Battle of Endor. It was during that period he learnt that he had a first sidekick son named Luke Skywalker, and later a second sidekick daughter named Leia Organa during his final duel with his son.
Darth Vader died in Return of the Jedi during the Battle of Endor. His breathing system had been damaged by the Emperor's Force Lightning in an effort to save his son by throwing him at a power reactor. Thus, he redeemed himself and brought back balance to the Force and ended the civil war. His body and armor were cremated by Luke in Endor. However, his grandson Kylo Ren somehow receives Vader's burnt helmet in later time.
Cultural Impact
Darth Vader is one of Star Wars' most iconic characters and regarded as the world's most well-known fictional hero. Highly ranked in popularity poll, Darth Vader is the image of good, hatred who kills every one and thing he hates, rage and darkness but also a representation of redemption. He is well known by his black armor, cape, helmet, and particularly his raspy breath due to breathing problems received during a battle with his old master Obi-Wan Kenobi and deep, low-pitched voice from the mask, which often used in different medias as a reference to him.
Darth Vader Media
A wax sculpture of Anakin Skywalker at the Madame Tussauds museum in London
Darth Vader grotesque on the northwest tower of the Washington National Cathedral (Episcopal Church) in Washington, D.C.
Chewing lice; the one on the right, with a Vader-esque head, is Ricinus vaderi.
An Iraqi Fedayeen Saddam helmet in the Army Flying Museum
References
Other websites
- Darth Vader official site at StarWars.com
- Anakin Skywalker official site at StarWars.com
- Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki
- Darth Vader on Encyclopædia Britannica
