Temptation: The Dark Side- Murray

The Dark Side is power and freedom.  The Dark side represents having great power as well as having no guidelines to restrict that power. In contrast “Jedi knights do nnot give in to feelings of vengeance”( Pfeiffer 133)

  One could simply say something that is not pleasing to you and you can cut off their air supply just as Vader does a number of times. 

            One such situation where the dark side tempts are succumbed too is when Lando Calrision turns in Han and Leia.  Lando is coerced by the Dark Side to turn away from a friendship he clearly cares deeply for and succumbs to power.  Lando chooses to preside of Cloud City and protect his own position of power.  Lando says at one point that Cloud City is mining illegally and they are able to be so profitable by avoiding the eye of the Empire.  Clearly Vader has taken an interest in Cloud City and bribed Lando with the continuation of his business if only he would betray his friends.  Lando does not completely succumb to this power because though he turns Han over to Vader he chooses to free Leia and Chewie and eventually joins the rebel forces becoming a general.  What ultimately saves him from the Dark Side is when he witnesses Han’s sacrifice so that Lando would care for Leia.  The love he witnesses motivates him to change his ways. 

Another example in which the Dark Side seduces good is when Han tries to leave the

Rebellion in the beginning of the second film.  He is not leaving specifically to join the Dark Side but by making the choice to leave those that need him instead of attempting to help them is in fact turning to the things that make the Dark Side so powerful.  It is the temptation to only care for one’s self instead of sacrificing for the greater good that lures Han from being a noble individual he is capable of being.  It is interesting because the Dark Side itself is the very thing that keeps Han with the rebellion. By attacking Hoth, Han is forced to continue to help the Rebellion in order to keep himself alive which allows him to grow and turn away from the temptation of the Dark Side and become the hero the Rebellion needs. 

            Yet another character who is tempted by the Dark Side is Yoda.  Yoda is typically perceived as the purest form of the force which only adds more the depth of the Dark Side because he is tempted to be led astray.  When first meeting Luke, Yoda contemplates not teaching him and even argues with Obi Wan about the issue.  Yoda is aware of the importance of Luke and is the only living source that knows the entirety of Luke’s situation and yet still he is tempted to leave Luke and the rebellion to fail.   The fact that Yoda does falter allows the viewer to see that the Dark Side has the possibility of overcoming even the finest.  Yoda is unique because instead of needing assistance he finds the away from the Dark Side on his own.  He merely stumbles but is able to continue doing good in the world.  This depicts the Dark Side is ever present but one is capable of overcoming the Dark Side alone.  Even the true of heart may stumble but it takes greater strength to continue on.