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version seven. http://demongin.org |
Darth Moses
In which I sketch the parallels (obvious!) between The Pentateuch's Moses and Star Wars' Darth Vader.
Sunday, 2004-11-21 | Classic Gin, Film, Literature
I plan to argue that Moses (deliverer of Israel from Pharaoh) is the type of Darth Vader (formerly Anakin Skywalker, pod-racer and destroyer of the Jedi order) or maybe the other way around; Darth Vader certainly exists in my imagination prior to Moses so it seems to me that Vader is the type of Moses.
Chronological order and Lucas' intentions mean nothing, however, because the parallels between these two figures exist regardless of whether or not Lucas was inspired by the Hebrew Bible of vice versa.
Let's start from the beginning.
Both Vader and Moses are the hope of a people--Moses is the hope of Israel and Vader is the hope of everyone interested in seeing balance brought to the universe (and to the force). They're both orphans, more or less, as well; Moses is found by Egyptians who take him in and Vader is the son of a slave woman whose father is never a part of the Star Wars narrative (as it's been immortalized in film).
Upon coming to manhood, both figures possess an ability far beyond their fellows. Vader is strong in the Force in a way that is incommensurable with his peers and Moses has been singled out by YHWH as his prophet and intermediary.
By the time that they are readily recognized as the epic figures we know them as, the similarities are even more striking. Moses, whose countenance 'glows' and is unbearable to the eyes of his subordinates and fellows, comes to wear a veil in order that he might not show the manifestation of divine power to those with whom he speaks. Vader's mask conceals his grisly features for the same reasons; prolonged exposure to the Dark Side of the Force has warped his face and it is for pragmatic reasons that he must conceal it. Both figures also communicate with their powerful superior by removing their masks. Moses lifts his veil when talking with YHWH and Vader removes his helmet when he speaks with the Emperor in private.
The notion of the totalitarian state is common to both as well. Moses leads a genocidal holy war camp who, with the help of divine might, seek to ravage Palestine and install their civilization in place of the civilizations that currently reside in those lands. Vader's empire is very similar. Their agenda is universal domination and subjugation of the various sentient lifeforms of the universe. Those nations or planets who will not comply with Moses and Vader are put to the sword; the Ban of Israel wherein everything that breaths is to be destroyed is very similar to the planet-smashing plasma weapon that is installed in the Death Star.
Vader and Moses also have the habit of summarily executing insolent fools. Just as Vader uses the force to make an example of the admiral who mocks the Force calling the practices and methods of his faith into question, so the awe-struck Israelites are made to look on in terror as Moses casts dissident Israelites into Sheol when they question the practices and methods of Aaron's priesthood.
There is also the ability that Moses and Vader share to confuse, befuddle and divide their enemies with divine aid. Moses is capable of calling down a panic on the peoples his holy warriors are bent on conquering in a manner similar to the manner in which, as Yoda remarks, the Dark Side clouds everything.
Finally, there is the manner in which the two act as intermediaries. Moses meets in secret in the Tent of Meeting with the divinity and relays the word of YHWH to the Israelites. Vader speaks in his weird dome-thing with the Emperor and then passes along his instructions to the various military officials under his command.
In their attributes, appearances and behavior Moses and Vader are nearly identical. Chosen by a higher, absolutely powerful figure to head totalitarian states hell-bent on ravening and murderous imperialism, these two figures wield supernatural power and unquestionable authority. Their anger is quickly kindled against their subordinates and their faces are similarly concealed.
Moses and Vader move through the narratives into which they have been placed with a nearly identical agenda and strikingly similar idiosyncrasies.
