We’re just about done with the Jedi Codes, and soon we’ll start bashing- I mean analyzing the Sith Code but before then we’ve one last sentence to look at. I’ll tell you right now this isn’t going to be a long essay, as there isn’t much to really analzye that hasn’t already been said.
The Force in Star Wars is an ‘Energy Field’ produced by midichloriens (introduced in the Episode 4 Novel) and that isn’t really an energy field in some ways and draws inspiration from the Asian idea of ‘Chi’ or ‘Ki’ from China & Japan respectively. It allows a Jedi and a Sith to do a great many things, mostly influence the world around them in a limited way or to produce electricity (or bend it) and so on.
The greatest power of the Force though lies in its connection with death. And this is where there is a Christian element to the thing, as the ‘Netherworld’ of the Force is the Underworld obviously, but there’s a positive side and a ‘down’ side (had to reference Spaceballs), or a ‘Dark Netherworld’ as far as I can understand the latter is Hell while the former is Heaven.
It is why Obi-Wan could not quite bring himself nor could Luke to end Anakin, because it would mean condemning him in the afterlife for all eternity when they could rescue him and restore him to the proper Netherworld.
But there is another aspect introduced in some stories mostly those related to Korriban and also the movies; the Force Ghosts.
The Ghosts of the Sith usually Marka Ragnos can influence the world around them even after death and still seek to push for the conquests of the Galaxy. With Ragnos serving as a bit of the ‘devil’ of Star Wars, while the light-side Ghosts are represented usually by the likes of Ben Kenobi & Yoda.
In truth though, it must be noted that the notion that there is No Death there is only the Force while an integral part of the Jedi’s religion, is a ruling that many Jedi across the millenniums have struggled with. The truly great ones have come to understand to let go of their materialism, their attachment to the material world and to rejoice in the joining of the Force.
What is so interesting is that the Sith often turn for fear of death in some fashion, with the likes of Anakin Skywalker, Gav Daragon, Exar Kun, Rosh Penin all turning to the Dark Side out of fear.
In turn though cowardly, of these men the Sith who sought to escape death in some fashion for fear of their eternal damnation is quite some list and they include the likes of; Naga Sadow, Freedon Nadd, Exar Kun, Darth Bane, Palpatine/Darth Sidious and Darth Tyranus/Dooku along with Tavion.
Those who have in turn sacrificed themselves consist of Anakin & Gav Daragon, the former to save his son at the last minute and the latter in what was arguably an even bigger turn around and far more heroic venture as he sacrificed himself because he believed himself beyond the pall in order that he might bring down the whole Sith Armada.
There is also Rosh Penin who sought to save his own hide, but he also intended to flee from Tavion that he might not be used as a hostage once she realized his allegiance to the Sith was not absolute. Naturally a huge chunk of Tavion’s cult was despatched to kill the 19-20 year old, but this served to drastically weaken her forces as Kyle Katarn & Jaden Korr smashed through their ranks so that Luke’s nascent Jedi Order could crush the Cult of Ragnos which was arguably the last gasp of the Sith in the modern era of Star Wars and arguably the most dangerous threat to the galaxy in thousands of years.
As to cowardice, one could count Rosh sure, but also Tavion in Jedi Outcast as she betrayed her Master Desaann who was at that time far more powerful than she.
In turn though the prior threat to Desaann for Kyle Katarn was the third Sith who had ruled the Galactic Empire and arguably the most brutal of him, Vader & Sidious, Jerec. Jerec had turned for fear of death yet once he turned he became the most devoted to the Dark Side, ceased to fear death and had ambitions greater than his two peers. He was also infinitely more competent, though slightly less powerful though by the end he VASTLY surpassed them thanks to the Valley of the Jedi.
But that was by his seeking to master the souls of the dead and death itself. It is interesting that much of Star Wars’ story revolves around death, but then again so does Tolkien & even Howard’s stories do.
Wait, "We're just about done with the Jedi Codes"? Somehow I missed the other ones! I'll have to search for them.
I've only watched episodes 4-6, Episode 1 (which put me off watching watching episodes 2&3), and Rogue One, which I thought was excellent. I'm no expert in Jedi law, or lore, but after reading your article, here's a question that struck me straight away: Can the Jedi exist without the Sith? (and vice versa?)