Courtly Love and Women's roles in Star Wars

Since we have been talking about women religious and courtly love this week, it reminded me of an essay that I wrote about women's roles in Star Wars in the prequel trilogy. Let me know what you think. The essay is below:

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Near the turn of the twenty-first century, many critics and fans bemoaned the original trilogy of Star Wars for its lack of female appeal. While many said Han Solo and Princess Leia’s relationship was enough to satisfy most people, others believed this was simply onscreen flirtation and incredibly undeveloped. In order to attract a more female audience, George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, intentionally set out to overdramatize Padme Amidala’s characterization along with her tragic relationship with the saga’s main character, Anakin Skywalker.

Like her daughter, Princess Leia, Padme was associated with royalty. However, Padme’s prestige is portrayed in a way that greatly surpasses Leia’s. Serving as the queen of the beautiful planet of Naboo, she normally embodied the stereotypical themes of a damsel in distress. For much of the The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, she is escorted by hordes of protection. She also has the most luxurious equipment, and elaborate wardrobes. On many occasions, she needs rescue from the Jedi, making her incredibly dependent on a male’s might. Leia starkly contrasts her mother in this regard because she never exhorted her position of power to the extent Padme did.

Even though the prequels’ female protagonist better fits society’s mold of a traditional woman, Lucas tried to  balance Padme’s attitude to offer an opposing  aspect to  her. Padme is fully capable of utilizing a blaster and isn’t afraid to fight when necessary. Most notably, she exhibits confidence beyond her gender. After surrendering her role as queen and seizing  a role as Senator in the Galactic Senate, Padme would constantly go before hundreds of her peers–male and female– to deliver her message in the senate chambers. She always showed enthusiasm and was never afraid to object to a male if she felt it was for the good of the Republic. This dogged determination and fierce dedication to her cause is what ultimately wooed the young and promising Jedi Knight, Anakin Skywalker.  

Lucas placed importance on Anakin and Padme’s relationship to show his genuine efforts to appease a female audience. Without this romance in the first three movies, the saga wouldn’t be able to stand. Lucas used the traditional and successful, “forbidden love” story arc because he knew women would not be able to resist. Because of the Jedi Code, Anakin is prohibited to show affection. However, he loved Padme at first sight and never stopped thinking of her for ten years. When they finally reunited and an attempt was made on her life, the Jedi Council assigned Anakin to be her personal bodyguard. This put them into close proximity with each other at all times, placing them high stress situations. Anakin also has to save her on numerous occasions, which aided his attempts to  win her over. Although Padme resisted his seduction at first, she ultimately confesses when they are about to be executed. After they are saved by the Jedi, the two lovers agree to secretly marry and live the rest of their lives as liers, perching  their love for one another above everything else.

Both of these characters’ lust for each other ultimately led to consequences which brought about their destruction. Terrified of his prophetic visions of losing his wife to childbirth, Anakin turns to the dark side of  The Force  in order to gain the necessary power to save her. However, Skywalker loses her because of the actions he committed, which included killing younglings and innocent politicians to obey the evil Emperor. Padme lost the will to live, choosing to die rather than live her life without Anakin. In turn, Skywalker forfeits his old life and embraces his new identity as Darth Vader. This hypothetical suicide is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, with the tragic heroes encountering their demise over irrational, impulsive decisions.

By scripting  a full romantic story, composing a touchy symphony, and used stunning landscapes and wardrobes, Lucas shows his intentionality to cater to a female audience. Forming the plot around successful pieces of legendary literature while crafting a strong female character were also major key components in making the prequel trilogy one that was known for more than just lightsabers and blaster bolts.