Was Yoda As Manipulative As Palpatine?
The conflict between Yoda and Emperor Palpatine (Darth Sidious) in Star Wars was interesting and exciting. A question that comes to mind is who was more powerful? Who was more manipulative, Yoda or Palpatine? In Star Wars, manipulation resides in the power of the Force, the Sith (Dark side), and the Jedi (Light side). The Star Wars franchise posits that the Sith is the more powerful. They are more powerful because they don’t have to follow the same rules that the Jedi are expected to follow. There is a difference in how Yoda uses his Force powers for manipulation compared to how Palpatine uses his Force powers for manipulation.
In either case, the Sith and Jedi use telekinetic force manipulation, which Yoda and Palpatine use quite extensively in the Star Wars Saga. Telekinetic Force Manipulation allows the individual to use Force energy to perform telekinetic action. The user is able to use physical forces, psychic energies, or supernatural Force to move matter, such as ships, rocks, and other objects. Yoda and Palpatine have different reasons and objectives for using their Force powers. Yoda used manipulation to lead and provide insight, skill, and compassionate determination.
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Palpatine uses his Force powers in a more deviant and even reckless manner. He also uses manipulation to get what he wants from people rather than to move objects. Therefore, Palpatine is like a psychopath in his manipulative power. Another difference when comparing Yoda and Palpatine is that both are secretive and manipulative. Yoda allows arbitrary unforeseen events to merely unfurl. Yoda is always looking to the future, the big picture. This is evident in The Empire Strikes Back Episode, when Luke runs off to save his friends, Han and Leia, and ultimately to face off with Vader. Yoda is still looking to the future to obtain victory. Yoda is undoubtedly the most powerful Jedi.
In a fun twist, if Yoda had turned to the dark side, Yoda would be the most powerful Sith. Yoda was tempted many times but did not succumb. If Yoda had lost his discipline in using his force abilities, which only the Sith would use, Palpatine would have been annihilated. The Sith use powers that only the Sith use. They do not have to follow the same codes as the Jedi. Some of the powers that the Sith use are force lightning, force choke, and brutal force rage. For Yoda to use these powers during combat, he would never be beaten. Yoda’s connection to the Force and the impact it would have had if he used the dark side powers ultimately would amount to total annihilation. Yoda, however, used his Force power for good, to restore peace in the galaxy, and his compassion brought him respect.
On the other hand, Palpatine was very manipulative and used his Force powers for evil and greed. He manipulated others to get what he desired, no matter the cost. He quickly manipulated Anakin Skywalker, ultimately turning Anakin into Darth Vader. Anakin was torn between serving Palpatine and the love of his life. He felt jealousy and hatred because he could not be a Master Jedi as he desired. Palpatine and his desire to rule the galaxy fed off this in his young apprentice.
Palpatine saw a chance to make Anakin his new apprentice. Palpatine had already used his evil manipulation of Padme and Amidala in taking over the senate. Palpatine continues to manipulate Anakin as Darth Vader. In the Disney+ series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, we see a clear display of manipulation in Return of the Jedi in luring Luke Skywalker to face off against Vader. Palpatine manipulated both Vader and Luke.
This is an exciting topic. It will be interesting to see if Star Wars continues to display Palpatine’s manipulation in new series like Obi-Wan Kenobi and other upcoming series. It will also be interesting to see more of Yoda and how he used his force powers for good and peace across the galaxy. I leave you with a quote from Yoda.
“In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way.”
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Source(s): ScreenRant, Inverse, Star Wars, Superpower WIKI, StarWars