by Ian Doescher
Of course, Return of the Jedi is where the story of Darth Vader comes full circle. The character development of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader—from Episode I through Episode VI—is a triumph of modern cinema. Vader’s transformation in Return of the Jedi comes across as both believable and natural, as if written by Fate, and that’s true whether you start watching at Episode IV or at Episode I. Return of the Jedi has more depth than people tend to acknowledge, due in large part to the cathartic final scenes between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. Luke realizes how close he comes to the dark side, as he considers his own robotic hand and the severed limb of his father, which Luke himself cut off in a moment of fury. Darth Vader realizes he has a decision to make: save his son, or remain a slave to his Emperor. We see him make that choice in the most dramatic way possible, as he grasps the Emperor and casts him into the abyss to his doom. Those two events—the separate awakenings of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader—are masterful film moments, and utterly Shakespearean. Darth Vader realizes in the end that it is his son, not his Emperor, who matters, just as King Lear realizes before his death that Cordelia loved him better than Goneril and Regan ever could. These are weighty moments. I knew that even when I was six.
Thank you, all of you who have entered the world of the William Shakespeare’s Star Wars trilogy. This has been a special journey for me; I hope it has been for you as well.
May the Force be with you, always.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
Once again, there are many to whom I am deeply grateful. This book is dedicated to my parents, Beth and Bob Doescher, and my brother Erik, who have encouraged and supported me more than I deserve. I grew up in a family where Star Wars was part of the fabric of our lives, and for that I am grateful.
Thank you to the wonderful people of Quirk Books: editors Jason Rekulak and Rick Chillot, publicity manager Nicole De Jackmo, social media manager Eric Smith, and the rest of the gang. Thank you to my agent, Adriann Ranta, for her support throughout the trilogy and for looking ahead with me. Thank you to Jennifer Heddle at Lucasfilm for being a delight to work with, and to illustrator Nicolas Delort for making the pages dance.
Continued thanks to my college professor and friend Murray Biggs, who reviewed all three manuscripts to enrich the Shakespearean pastiche. Thank you to my friend Josh Hicks, who listened to every idea and offered insightful, helpful feedback. Thank you to dear college friends Heidi Altman, Chris Martin, Naomi Walcott, and Ethan Youngerman, and high school friends (and their spouses) Travis Boeh, Chris Buehler, Erin Buehler, Nathan Buehler, Katie Downing, Marian Hammond, Anne Huebsch, Michael Morrill, Tara Schuster, Ben Wire, and Sarah Woodburn.
Thank you to everyone else: Audu Besmer, Jane Bidwell, Jeff and Caryl Creswell, Ken Evers-Hood, Mark Fordice, Chris Frimoth, Alana Garrigues, Brian Heron, Jim and Nancy Hicks, Apricot and David Irving, Doree Jarboe, Alexis Kaushansky, Rebecca Lessem, Bobby Lopez, Andrea Martin, Bruce McDonald, Joan and Grady Miller, Jim Moiso, Janice Morgan, Dave Nieuwstraten, Julia Rodriguez-O’Donnell, Scott Roehm, Larry Rothe, Steve Weeks, Ryan Wilmot, and members of the 501st Legion.
Finally, to my spouse, Jennifer, and our boys, Liam and Graham: thank you beyond rhyme, beyond meter, beyond words.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
(1564–1616) was a poet and playwright. He is widely considered one of the greatest writers in the English language.
GEORGE LUCAS is a film producer, screenwriter, director, and the creator of the Star Wars motion picture saga. He lives in California.
IAN DOESCHER is the New York Times best-selling author of William Shakespeare’s Star Wars. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his family. Visit him at IanDoescher.com.
PRAISE FOR WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S STAR WARS
“Two of the most creative minds
in the universe collide with
spectacular, hilarious, and surprisingly
touching insight into
the original classic. This is truly
Star Wars as you like it.”
—Joe Schreiber,
author of Star Wars: Death Troopers
“The Bard at his finest, with all
the depth of character, insightful
soliloquies, and clever
wordplay we’ve come to expect
from the master.”
—Timothy Zahn,
New York Times best-selling author of Scoundrels
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