This scene in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith subtly revealed that Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious by no means had regard for the Sith rule of two. Throughout Star Wars Motion pictures and TV exhibits, Palpatine performed quick and free with the notion that there might solely be one Sith grasp and one Sith apprentice at a time, which obtained a variety of criticism. Within the prequel trilogy period, this was really clarified in Star Wars: Tales of the Jediwhich revealed that Dooku was already groomed as Sidious' subsequent apprentice earlier than Darth Maul died.
Palpatine was in the identical method that Anakin Skywalker was his new apprentice, at the same time as Dooku continued to serve him loyally (which was the reason for Dooku's real shock when Palpatine ordered Anakin to kill him). Even within the sequels, Sidious had each intention of returning as a Sith Lord, however didn't appear all that involved about taking up an apprentice. The Sith rule of two ought to strengthen the way forward for the Sith, however Palpatine typically bent or broke the rule - and this second in Revenge of the Sith reveals exactly when it started.
The rule of two should make sure the survival of the fittest
The Sith's apprentice should overthrow his grasp in battle
The Sith rule of two was established by Darth Bane as a protecting measure for the Sith.. For too lengthy, the Sith have threatened their very own future due to their lust for energy. Darth Bane, recognizing that every Sith's obsession with changing into probably the most highly effective and gaining management would solely be self-destructive for the Sith as a complete, created this rule to stop the Sith from erasing themselves fully.
As an alternative of numerous Sith all clamoring for energy, the Sith rule of two dictated that there could be just one Sith grasp and one Sith apprentice - the grasp to wield the facility and the apprentice to want it. Inevitably, this might result in the apprentice attempting to overthrow his grasp. To make sure that the extra highly effective Sith between the 2 got here out on prime, this needed to be determined in battle. This, in flip, would imply that, With every era, the Sith would solely grow to be extra highly effective.
To make sure that probably the most highly effective Sith appeared between the 2, this needed to be determined in battle.
Palpatine broke the rule of two when he killed Plagueis
Palpatine threw the principles apart when he killed Plagueis in his sleep
Revenge of the Sith confirms that Palpatine by no means had any actual curiosity in following the rule of two. In a now-famous scene, Palpatine asks Anakin if he has ever heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis The Clever and divulges that Plagueis' apprentice (secretly, himself) killed him in his sleep. By killing Plagueis in his sleep somewhat than besting him in battle, Palpatine had utterly undermined the Sith rule of two - together with the assure that probably the most highly effective Sith could be victorious and the one one to proceed the Sith.
By killing Plagueis in his sleep somewhat than besting him in battle, Palpatine had utterly undermined the Sith rule of two.
There was one other layer to this too. In the identical dialog, Palpatine advised Anakin that Plagueis had the flexibility to create life and maintain these he cared about from dying. What the latter additionally included was Plagueis' means to switch his essence, which can have meant that Pragueis possessed Palpatine's physique if Palpatine's physique touched it honest and sq.. In fact, one other risk is that Plagueis was the Superior Sith and Palpatine wouldn't have received. To keep away from any doable obstacles, Palpatine merely betrayed the system.
Why didn't Palpatine care concerning the rule of two?
Palpatine solely cared about himself
In reality, it's little shock that Palpatine wasn't fascinated with sustaining the Sith rule of two from the beginning. All through the Star Wars Timeline, Palpatine made it very clear that he was actually fascinated with one factor: himself.. Sure, he saved a Sith apprentice all through the prequel and authentic trilogies, however that was typically to serve his personal functions, like having Depend Dooku lead the Separatist motion so he might manipulate the Jedi and the Senate via Clone Wars.
He additionally had a number of plans to make sure he was the one one to take care of energy, together with the nefarious operation: Cinder. This contingency plan successfully meant that, within the occasion of his loss of life, all the things should be destroyed in order that nobody else might proceed the Empire. In the identical method, His desperation to be the one one in energy was clear in his quest for immortality- He had no actual intention of passing on the mantle of Sith Grasp.
Palpatine was, on the finish of the day, purely egocentric. He had no actual dedication to the way forward for the Sith; He was solely dedicated to his continued energy and management. Whereas this second in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Confirms how early on Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious' disregard for the Sith rule of two started, his true intentions have lengthy been clear.