Anakin is the Chosen One....but isn't he just a little too gullible?

It's funny that Anakin's always so upset about not recieving any recognition or freedom from the Jedi. His self-esteem is so fragile that it is always reliant on someone else. Of course, no one assumes that role better than Palpy. Every time Palps sends him a few words of praise, Anakin's just about ready to devote his life to him.

Granted he is the Chosen One, but don't you think that Anakin is just too easily fooled? Converting Anakin to the Dark Side is probably just a cake walk for a master-manipulator like Palps.

 

I think you're WAY oversimplifying Anakin's character.

If we've heard anything about Anakin in this movie, it's how much he's torn between the three most important things in his life, none of which have to do with Palpy (fundamentally) or gullibilty. 1. Padmé, 2. His desire to be a good Jedi, and 3. Figuring out what being the Chosen One actually means, how does he fulfill it? All of these end in disaster, from Palpy's manipulation yes, but also from alot of other factors. But of course Anakin has human faults, his role as a tragic hero makes him have the ultimate human weaknesses, all of them are more intense than in normal people.

 

Perhaps he is torn between those three choices. But how can you explain him developing such a close relationship with Palps? Obviously, it was Palps inflating his bubble that caused him to view him as a great mentor, gradually drew him away from the Jedi and Padme, and disregard or at least feel indifferent towards much of the lessons Obi-Wan and the Jedi continually stress to him.

I think that Palps' praise was a great catalyst in Anakin's turn to the Dark Side. I didn't say it was the only reason for Anakin's turning, but it definitely had a great effect on him.

 

Well, Palpatine does more than just tell Anakin he's super ya know.

He provides Anakin with compassion, trust, friendship..and yes, appreciation. Slipped in and through all of this are the subtle hints of guidance he plans in Anakins head.

Make note that he's been doing this to the boy since he was nine years old - Anakin has known him for as long as he knows Kenobi and the Jedi. It's not just a matter of stroking ones ego, all Anakin knows of the man is that he has provided him with nothing but "good" stuff.

Obi-Wan picks up on this trait of Palpatine ("I have observered...") but he was a Jedi Knight by the time Palpatine became so important, Anakin was a little boy.

You can make a better case in asking what proof Anakin needs to tell him Palpatine is not to be trusted, if there even is any (at the point of Clones/Sith).

 

You can make a better case in asking what proof Anakin needs to tell him Palpatine is not to be trusted, if there even is any (at the point of Clones/Sith). Obi_Frans

The Council is currently having some problems with their Jedi Vision, saying it's clouded by the Dark Side....

Meanwhile, Palpatine has become Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, in complete control of a considerable army....

You'll never guess what Dooku said!...

(There's more isn't there?)


Naivety, as always, a trait for the Good Guys!

 

In Labyrinth of Evil, IIRC, even Obi-Wan sort of sees him self as Anakin's father figure, and Palpatine as Anakin's "uncle".

Anakin had his mother to receive praise and approval from for 10 years; Obi-Wan is a good master, but can't provide Anakin with the type of reassurance and confidence-boosting he needs.

And Palpatine, of course, is very aware of Anakin's strengths and weaknesses, his loves and hates.

Loves - his mother, Padme, the Force, life
Hates - inefficiency, corruption, dishonesty

Anakin is The Hero Without Fear to the Republic...yet he is quite fearful of losing his family. Losing his mother brought Anakin to his first major brush with the Dark Side.

Will losing Padme take him all the way?