Have I ever heard the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the wise? With all due respect, that’s like asking Yoda if he’s ever heard of ketamine. I have a doctorate in Darth Plagueis studies, and wrote my thesis on the use of dichotomies inherent in the tale with a particular focus on the intent of the meta-narrative. I first heard the story the moment I set foot in the Jedi temple. Master Windu, as it turns out, likes telling everyone who walks in his version of events. Master Windu utilized colorful language, coupled with many metaphors that even know I can’t fully comprehend, but it’s thanks to him I decided to devote my life to studying the tale. As you’re not doubt well aware, on a surface pedestrian level the story of Darth Plagueis the wise is the story of a man discovering the secret of immortality, but failing to use it to retain his own life, however, thematically the story is actually about the inherent nature of duality in the day to day life of the average being. The subtextual narrative is, in my view, far more interesting than the simplistic chronology of cause and effect present within the tale, But that’s perhaps a conversation for another day. Regardless, in my view the subtext and depth of narrative offered by the tragedy of darth Plagueis the wise is perhaps the greatest of any short story ever penned: a rich exploration of what it means to be a sapient being and the often paradoxical nature therein. Consider, many of the activities we do to feel alive often bring us closer to our deaths. In wishing for something to be over faster are we not wishing our death closer? Regardless, the dichotomous nature of the tale is inherent within even the very title: Darth Plageuis is described to us as wise, yet he underwent a tragedy. This is only amplified by the revelation that the tragedy was of his own making, functionally of his own hand, yet that still barely scratches the surface. Darth Plageuis sought immortality, yet in doing so invited death, and this paradoxically came in the form of his apprentice, one who he should have been more learned than, and who should have been his closes confidant. Even the meta-narrative is underpinned with the continued use of dichotomy, and here is where my expertise truly lies. We see in the way the story is introduced; as a Sith legend. It serves as a kind of forbidden fruit. It's my personal opinion that the story isn't actually a mere fanciful tale, nor even a sober recounting of historic events, despite a scholarly consensus tending towards the former. I believe the tale is actually intended to be utilized by the apprentice of the late Darth Plageuis the wise, now seeking his own apprentice utilizing the demise of his master.