Anakin Skywalker became one of the most fearsome and merciless Sith Lords the Star Wars galaxy had ever seen after he fell to the dark side, but that time of his life is defined by an intense regret. Anakin’s betrayal of the Jedi was a highly motivated choice rather than a mistake, and it would haunt him for the rest of his life. He is ultimately redeemed by his son Luke because, deep down, Darth Vader never wanted to be the Sith Lord he had become. He believed he didn’t have a choice and resigned himself to his fate.

As a Jedi, Anakin had been hailed as one of the most noble and heroic of all. When he became a Sith, he brought the same element of intensity to his new position as the Emperor’s enforcer. This wasn’t because he believed in what the Emperor stood for, but simply because he had nothing else to cling to. Despite regretting becoming a Sith, Vader would become the best Sith Lord the galaxy had ever seen.

Darth Vader’s Rage Was Fueled Mostly By His Own Hate (& Regret)

He Never Lets Go Of The Life He Lost

Anakin’s life was effectively ruined when he became a Sith Lord and everything he had ever loved was completely destroyed. After becoming Vader, Anakin had nothing to go back to, so he simply doubled down on turning his back on his old life. Not only has his life been destroyed, but he was the one who destroyed it. Armed with the knowledge that, despite Palpatine’s role in luring him to the dark side, he alone was responsible for the choices that led to this new life, Vader is consumed with anger and self-loathing.

After his duel on Mustafar, those mistakes took a physical manifestation. He would never again be able to breathe on his own, and his movements would forever be restricted by the bulky suit and cybernetic limbs. There was no escape from reminders of his worst failure, so Vader’s anger and regret never lessened. Vader’s hate gave him power but also kept him from enjoying his achievements and accolades. Nothing was ever enough for Vader because nothing could replace the things that he’d lost. His regret over the events leading to his fall to the dark side would haunt him forever.

Vader Never Stopped Mourning Padmé

Padmé Was Symbolic Of The Good Within Anakin

Padmé was the most important thing to Anakin, and when he believed her life to be in danger, he completely and willingly gave himself over to the dark side for a chance to save her from death. The first thing he does after waking up in his new life support suit is to ask about her well-being. Darth Sidious’ response that she has died is what sparks Vader’s first display of rage.

Though Vader doesn’t mention his lost wife in the original trilogy, she is a strong presence in the parts of his story told in other media. In video games and his comic series, Vader’s head is constantly turned by mentions and memories of Padmé, and he even tries on multiple occasions to resurrect her. Anakin’s fall revolved around Sidious’ promises that there was a way to cheat death, so it makes sense that he would continue to explore that idea even after she’s died.

Darth Vader Understood He’d Been Tricked By Palpatine

Vader Never Wanted To Serve The Emperor

The loyalty that Anakin pledged to Palpatine was never given out of genuine alliance, and he was already planning on overthrowing him on Mustafar. Once he realized that Padmé’s life had been lost despite his efforts, Vader’s hatred for Palpatine skyrocketed. By the time his transformation into Darth Vader is complete to the point of no return, Vader is already faced with the knowledge that Palpatine had lied to him about achieving the power to save Padmé’s life, as well as orchestrating the entire Clone Wars.

Anakin’s career as a Jedi Knight revolved around the Clone Wars. His role allowed him to establish a reputation not only within the Jedi Order, but the entire galaxy as a whole. The Clone Wars helped him to prove himself and become the hero he’d always wanted to be, but it also brought him face-to-face with tragedy and sacrifice. Realizing that all of it was for nothing was a devastating moment for Darth Vader, inspiring a hatred for his new master that would propel him through decades of terrorizing the Star Wars galaxy.