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William Shakespeare's Star Wars #3
William Shakespeare's Tragedy of the Sith's Revenge
Experience the Star Wars saga reimagined as an Elizabethan drama penned by William Shakespeare himself, complete with authentic meter and verse, and theatrical monologues and dialogue by everyone from Bail Organa to Count Dooku.Something is rotten in the state of Coruscant! The schemes of Emperor Palpatine come to fruition as Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and the other Jedi duel against the clone troopers of General Grievious and the nascent Empire.Authentic meter, stage directions, reimagined movie scenes and dialogue, and hidden Easter eggs throughout will entertain and impress fans of Star Wars and Shakespeare alike. Every scene and character from the film appears in the play, along with twenty woodcut-style illustrations that depict an Elizabethan version of the Star Wars galaxy.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2015
54 people are currently reading
3050 people want to read
About the author
Ian Doescher
49 books724 followersIan is the author of the William Shakespeare Star Wars series and the Pop Shakespeare series, and other books. He's a Portland native, and lives in Portland with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
February 17, 2020
I have a ton of fun reading these Shakespeare inspired, George Lucas retellings of the original Star Wars trilogy and now the prequel trilogy. I do plan on reading the final trilogy.
I didn't notice any cute cultural lines put in this book. It was pretty much straight up the story and Ian didn't decide to make the end when Vader steps down after surgery like Frankenstein, well he didn't allude to that.
This tragedy works amazingly well in Shakespeare verse. It was like something Shakespeare could have written if he knew about fantasy and space. This entry in the Star Wars cannon is truly a tragedy with no happy ending. The world seems hopeless and the world is bleak for a whole 18 years or so waiting for Luke and Leia to grow up.
I'm so glad that Lucasfilms allows Ian to produce these stories. I enjoy them and look forward to reading the last 3.
I didn't notice any cute cultural lines put in this book. It was pretty much straight up the story and Ian didn't decide to make the end when Vader steps down after surgery like Frankenstein, well he didn't allude to that.
This tragedy works amazingly well in Shakespeare verse. It was like something Shakespeare could have written if he knew about fantasy and space. This entry in the Star Wars cannon is truly a tragedy with no happy ending. The world seems hopeless and the world is bleak for a whole 18 years or so waiting for Luke and Leia to grow up.
I'm so glad that Lucasfilms allows Ian to produce these stories. I enjoy them and look forward to reading the last 3.
Read
January 7, 2021NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED THAT THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!
My favorite Star Wars movie in Shakespeare form...what a miraculous experience this has been for me.
Enjoy this massive plethora of fav quotes (no, I have no shame that I’m basically quoting the entire play):
>CHORUS: In times so long ago begins our play,
I’m vengeful galaxy far, far away.
>ANAKIN: The time of mirth and sport begins anon,
For I do love a battle fought in space.
(This is where the fun begins haha)
>OBI-WAN: With due respect, O, Chancellor, Sith Lords
The keenest object of our study are.
We two are specialists in their domain,
And shall our education put to use
As we do vanquish this one by the book.
>ANAKIN: His date and ours shall be entwin’d as one.
Come, Master, these two arms shall bear you hence,
As you, these many years, did bear with me.
(How wholesome<3)
>GREVIOUS: And with him, Anakin Skywalker too—
Though I assum’d your reputation vast
Belong’d to someone older than yourself.
‘Tis twice the Jedi I did hope to snare
Within my nets today: a double catch.
ANAKIN: You, Gen’ral Grevious, are far smaller than I did expect, from what few tales I’ve heard.
They did give tell of one most like a titan,
Yet now I see you are a puny droid.
(LOOOL)
>OBI-WAN: Another landing haply made. Well done.
>ANAKIN: Yet what is this: thou tremblest terribly:
What is it ails thee,
Padmé? Speak it plain?
PADMÉ: I have such news as I would share with thee,
Intelligence both sacred and profane:
Thy child doth move within me, in my womb.
(AAAAAAAH<3)
>PAMDÉ: Thou are the gardener who brings increase,
The tender of my soul who bringeth growth.
Within thy love my blossom is at peace,
And doth shoot forth upon mine Ani’s oath.
ANAKIN: Nay, thou for thine own beauty are the cause,
For thou are both the flower and the sun,
Which bringeth light, sans hesitance or pause,
And makes thee flourish such that thou dost stun.
My love is but the witness to this growth,
Mine heart is but observer to your beauty.
This love, this heart, they are for thee, yea both—
Thou mayest command them unto any duty.
(If you can’t tell I’m a huge Anidala shipper)
>YODA: Death natural is:
To all who have life, it comes.
Stop it thou canst not.
Instead, be merry—
Rejoice with those transforming
Into the broad Force.
>KI-ADI: What of the Wookiees, by the droids attack’d?
What shall we do, this new threat to address?
(All I can think about are the memes associated with this quote)
**THE TRAGEDY OF DARTH PLAGUEIS THE WISE (aka one of the best parts)**
PLAYER 3: The most lamentable and tragic tale
Of one Darth Plagueis, he the Sith of old.
A story of ambition that did fail,
Of death that conquer’d over life: behold!
PLAYER 1: Darth Plagueis I am call’d, and higher rise
Than any Sith throughout the galaxy.
PLAYER 2: Indeed, my love, most mighty and most wise:
So may you e’re remain and always be.
Yet what shall come of me if thee I lose?
I tremble at the thought of your demise.
Or what if Fate did come, and me did choose,
How shall one live when that the other dies?
PLAYER 1: It shall not be, I’ll pick the lock of death.
By Force th’midi-chlorians I control,
And have obtain’d the pow’r to grant a breath.
In short: I can create life, by my soul.
PLAYER 2: My love, thy knowledge of the dark side frights:
Should any human have such learning, dear?
PLAYER 1: Methinks thou shalt not fear my dazzling heights
When I do rescue thee from death severe.
ANAKIN: Pish! Pray, what is this tale of wonder, sir?
PALPATINE: A story, lad, yet not as thou wouldst hear
From Jedi mouths, for they would keep it hid.
‘Tis but an ancient legend of the Sith...
PLAYER 1: The dark side of the Force is passing strong,
A path to varied possibilities,
E’en if, by some, they are consider’d wrong...
PLAYER 3: The tragic tale of this Darth Plagueis ends
Upon a hopeful moral all should heed:
To save your family, to save your friends:
‘Tis possible if you with care proceed...
PALPATINE: Ironic, is it not? The man could save
His lov’d ones, but he could not save himself.
ANAKIN: Is’t possible to learn this pow’r o’er death?
PALPATINE: Not from a Jedi, nay. They fear the tale.
>ANAKIN: My Master, let me speak: I fear that I
Have giv’n you reason to be disappointed.
Methinks I’ve not the proper gratitude
Display’d for your great care in training me.
I have been proud, and do apologize.
‘Tis my frustration with the Council that
Hath color’d mine exchanges with you, sir.
OBI-WAN: Thou are both passing strong and deeply wise,
My dear friend Anakin. Of thee I’m proud.
Thou have I train’d since thou wert a little boy,
And taught thee ev’rything that I do know.
Thou hast surpass’d me quite, and hast become
An abler Jedi than my fondest hope.
Be thou patient, gallant Anakin:
I’ll warrant that, in time, the Council shall
Bestow on thee the rank of Jedi Master.
ANAKIN: Good Obi-Wan, as you depart: hear this:
The Force shall ever be with you, my friend.
OBI-WAN: Farewell, my loyal comrade Anakin,
The Force be with thee till we meet again.
>[Obi-Wan leaps from the balcony and lands next to Grevious]
OBI-WAN: My greetings, General—we meet again.
GREVIOUS: Ah, General Kenobi, you are bold.
>OBI-WAN: The blaster—so unciviliz’d a thing,
A random, clumsy weapon, by my troth.
>PALPATINE: I am the Senate; aye, the Senate’s mine.
>PALPATINE: ‘Tis treason, then, and I shall haply mete
To each of you a traitor’s punishment.
>PALPATINE: The Force is strong with thee, good Anakin,
And thou a Sith impressive shalt become.
Henceforce thou shalt be call’d a diff’rent name,
A name that shall inspire both dread and fear
In all who hear it utter’d: rise, Darth Vader.
>PALPATINE: Behold the power of the mighty Sith
As we release our order sixth-six!
...
Come, death: thy name is order sixty-six.
>R2-D2: Beep, meep, beep, squeak!
C-3PO: —Tut, tut, droid—hush thy beeps.
(Ok this quote makes me laugh but it’s also so important. If you look at the comic excerpt, R2 is actually very distressed and it’s so sad because R2 and Anakin have such a wholesome dynamic. It’s depressing that R2 has Droid PTSD)
>R2-D2: My fear doth keep me here, in frozen state,
Although the wind howls like a storm inside.
O, let it go—fear not, but be at ease:
The heat ne’er bother’d R2 anyway.
(I’M SCREAMING)
>PADMÉ: This thunderous applause sounds like a bell
That hath been forg’d within hell’s own dark heart;
With its sharp knell the hope of freedom dies.
>SIDIOUS: How I have long’d for such a time as this,
O, strange companion, small and weak and green.
‘Tis certain that the Jedi are extinct.
YODA: Not if there is aught
About these circumstances
To which my voice speaks.
WE’RE GETTING TO THE BEST QUOTES AHAAAA!!
>VADER: Together, we shall rule the galaxy—
Aye, thou and I, my sweet.
This thought abides:
What we desire, thus shall we make indeed.
PADMÉ: What mine eats hear, my mind cannot believe:
Thy words have neither rhyme nor reason, nay.
Aye, Obi-Wan has it: thou are reliev’d
Of ev’ry sense, tranform’d by thoughts insane.
VADER: I’d hear no more of Obi-Wan tonight.
The Jedi turn’d from me; do not the same.
PADMÉ: Who is this who doth speak with tongue like knife?
I tell thee truly, I know not thy name.
Mine heart is broken by mind alteration;
This path thou follow’st is not mine to walk.
(*sobbing in the background*)
>PAMDÉ: I prithee stop this now, and come thou back.
I love thee still.
VADER: —Thou, liar, shalt die soon:
Thou didst bring him to kill me—‘tis a fact!
>VADER: Now peaceful currents run because of me,
Now freedom doth resound upon the flow,
Now justice have I brought unto the deep,
Now quick security both chart my way,
Now I am admiral to Empire new.
I am monarch of the sea: a Sith.
OBI-WAN: An empire new—what chantey mad is this?
VADER: Do not make me destroy you, Obi-Wan.
OBI-WAN: My steadfast loyalty is to th’Republic,
Unto democracy mind hull is moor’d.
VADER: If you shall pilot by another path,
You sink and are become mine enemy.
OBI-WAN: None but a Sith would set his helm so straight,
As though beset by terrors all around.
A Jedi knoweth well the difference
Betwixt a proper pride and misled hubris.
A Jedi doth not deal in absolutes.
I shall do what I must to see thee right.
(THESE QUOTES HAVE SENT ME)
>VADER: I should have known the Jedi would attempt
To vanquish the Republic and seize pow’r.
OBI-WAN: O, listen to thy words:
the chancellor,
E’en Palpatine, ‘tis he who evil is.
VADER: Yet from a certain point of view—e’en mine—
The Jedi are the base and evil ones.
OBI-WAN: Then art thou lost indeed, my onetime friend.
>OBI-WAN: ‘Tis finish’d Anakin, the triumph’s mine!
Here I do claim the high ground, yea, and all
The keen advantages it offereth.
(HE HATH THE HIGH GROUND INDEED)
>OBI-WAN: Thou wert the chosen one, who would destroy
The Sith, not join their frightful company.
Thou shouldst have brought new balance to the Force,
Not leave it underneath a veil of dark.
>OBI-WAN: —Lady, ‘tis your son.
PADMÉ: He shall be Luke, and walk among the skies.
Heart of mine heart, and issue of my love.
...
OBI-WAN: —See,
A daughter, too, a pair of children sweet.
PADMÉ: ‘Tis Leia, who, like me, is royalty.
Brave spirit, so remember thy sad mother.
(This is even more sad because if you remember in Return of the Jedi, when Luke asks Leia about their real mother, she responds that she remember how sad her mother was...*SOBS INCREASE*)
**This final monologue of Anakin physically becoming Darth Vader is so emotional**
>VADER: This mask shall hide the man that I once was,
Behind the mask my secret thoughts shall lay,
Beneath the mask shall be my private lair,
The mask, impenetrable, makes me free.
Within the full security it gives
I shall fulfill my radiant destiny:
Bring balance to the Force as I do live
A life of vengeance, power, and reward.
My favorite Star Wars movie in Shakespeare form...what a miraculous experience this has been for me.
Enjoy this massive plethora of fav quotes (no, I have no shame that I’m basically quoting the entire play):
>CHORUS: In times so long ago begins our play,
I’m vengeful galaxy far, far away.
>ANAKIN: The time of mirth and sport begins anon,
For I do love a battle fought in space.
(This is where the fun begins haha)
>OBI-WAN: With due respect, O, Chancellor, Sith Lords
The keenest object of our study are.
We two are specialists in their domain,
And shall our education put to use
As we do vanquish this one by the book.
>ANAKIN: His date and ours shall be entwin’d as one.
Come, Master, these two arms shall bear you hence,
As you, these many years, did bear with me.
(How wholesome<3)
>GREVIOUS: And with him, Anakin Skywalker too—
Though I assum’d your reputation vast
Belong’d to someone older than yourself.
‘Tis twice the Jedi I did hope to snare
Within my nets today: a double catch.
ANAKIN: You, Gen’ral Grevious, are far smaller than I did expect, from what few tales I’ve heard.
They did give tell of one most like a titan,
Yet now I see you are a puny droid.
(LOOOL)
>OBI-WAN: Another landing haply made. Well done.
>ANAKIN: Yet what is this: thou tremblest terribly:
What is it ails thee,
Padmé? Speak it plain?
PADMÉ: I have such news as I would share with thee,
Intelligence both sacred and profane:
Thy child doth move within me, in my womb.
(AAAAAAAH<3)
>PAMDÉ: Thou are the gardener who brings increase,
The tender of my soul who bringeth growth.
Within thy love my blossom is at peace,
And doth shoot forth upon mine Ani’s oath.
ANAKIN: Nay, thou for thine own beauty are the cause,
For thou are both the flower and the sun,
Which bringeth light, sans hesitance or pause,
And makes thee flourish such that thou dost stun.
My love is but the witness to this growth,
Mine heart is but observer to your beauty.
This love, this heart, they are for thee, yea both—
Thou mayest command them unto any duty.
(If you can’t tell I’m a huge Anidala shipper)
>YODA: Death natural is:
To all who have life, it comes.
Stop it thou canst not.
Instead, be merry—
Rejoice with those transforming
Into the broad Force.
>KI-ADI: What of the Wookiees, by the droids attack’d?
What shall we do, this new threat to address?
(All I can think about are the memes associated with this quote)
**THE TRAGEDY OF DARTH PLAGUEIS THE WISE (aka one of the best parts)**
PLAYER 3: The most lamentable and tragic tale
Of one Darth Plagueis, he the Sith of old.
A story of ambition that did fail,
Of death that conquer’d over life: behold!
PLAYER 1: Darth Plagueis I am call’d, and higher rise
Than any Sith throughout the galaxy.
PLAYER 2: Indeed, my love, most mighty and most wise:
So may you e’re remain and always be.
Yet what shall come of me if thee I lose?
I tremble at the thought of your demise.
Or what if Fate did come, and me did choose,
How shall one live when that the other dies?
PLAYER 1: It shall not be, I’ll pick the lock of death.
By Force th’midi-chlorians I control,
And have obtain’d the pow’r to grant a breath.
In short: I can create life, by my soul.
PLAYER 2: My love, thy knowledge of the dark side frights:
Should any human have such learning, dear?
PLAYER 1: Methinks thou shalt not fear my dazzling heights
When I do rescue thee from death severe.
ANAKIN: Pish! Pray, what is this tale of wonder, sir?
PALPATINE: A story, lad, yet not as thou wouldst hear
From Jedi mouths, for they would keep it hid.
‘Tis but an ancient legend of the Sith...
PLAYER 1: The dark side of the Force is passing strong,
A path to varied possibilities,
E’en if, by some, they are consider’d wrong...
PLAYER 3: The tragic tale of this Darth Plagueis ends
Upon a hopeful moral all should heed:
To save your family, to save your friends:
‘Tis possible if you with care proceed...
PALPATINE: Ironic, is it not? The man could save
His lov’d ones, but he could not save himself.
ANAKIN: Is’t possible to learn this pow’r o’er death?
PALPATINE: Not from a Jedi, nay. They fear the tale.
>ANAKIN: My Master, let me speak: I fear that I
Have giv’n you reason to be disappointed.
Methinks I’ve not the proper gratitude
Display’d for your great care in training me.
I have been proud, and do apologize.
‘Tis my frustration with the Council that
Hath color’d mine exchanges with you, sir.
OBI-WAN: Thou are both passing strong and deeply wise,
My dear friend Anakin. Of thee I’m proud.
Thou have I train’d since thou wert a little boy,
And taught thee ev’rything that I do know.
Thou hast surpass’d me quite, and hast become
An abler Jedi than my fondest hope.
Be thou patient, gallant Anakin:
I’ll warrant that, in time, the Council shall
Bestow on thee the rank of Jedi Master.
ANAKIN: Good Obi-Wan, as you depart: hear this:
The Force shall ever be with you, my friend.
OBI-WAN: Farewell, my loyal comrade Anakin,
The Force be with thee till we meet again.
>[Obi-Wan leaps from the balcony and lands next to Grevious]
OBI-WAN: My greetings, General—we meet again.
GREVIOUS: Ah, General Kenobi, you are bold.
>OBI-WAN: The blaster—so unciviliz’d a thing,
A random, clumsy weapon, by my troth.
>PALPATINE: I am the Senate; aye, the Senate’s mine.
>PALPATINE: ‘Tis treason, then, and I shall haply mete
To each of you a traitor’s punishment.
>PALPATINE: The Force is strong with thee, good Anakin,
And thou a Sith impressive shalt become.
Henceforce thou shalt be call’d a diff’rent name,
A name that shall inspire both dread and fear
In all who hear it utter’d: rise, Darth Vader.
>PALPATINE: Behold the power of the mighty Sith
As we release our order sixth-six!
...
Come, death: thy name is order sixty-six.
>R2-D2: Beep, meep, beep, squeak!
C-3PO: —Tut, tut, droid—hush thy beeps.
(Ok this quote makes me laugh but it’s also so important. If you look at the comic excerpt, R2 is actually very distressed and it’s so sad because R2 and Anakin have such a wholesome dynamic. It’s depressing that R2 has Droid PTSD)
>R2-D2: My fear doth keep me here, in frozen state,
Although the wind howls like a storm inside.
O, let it go—fear not, but be at ease:
The heat ne’er bother’d R2 anyway.
(I’M SCREAMING)
>PADMÉ: This thunderous applause sounds like a bell
That hath been forg’d within hell’s own dark heart;
With its sharp knell the hope of freedom dies.
>SIDIOUS: How I have long’d for such a time as this,
O, strange companion, small and weak and green.
‘Tis certain that the Jedi are extinct.
YODA: Not if there is aught
About these circumstances
To which my voice speaks.
WE’RE GETTING TO THE BEST QUOTES AHAAAA!!
>VADER: Together, we shall rule the galaxy—
Aye, thou and I, my sweet.
This thought abides:
What we desire, thus shall we make indeed.
PADMÉ: What mine eats hear, my mind cannot believe:
Thy words have neither rhyme nor reason, nay.
Aye, Obi-Wan has it: thou are reliev’d
Of ev’ry sense, tranform’d by thoughts insane.
VADER: I’d hear no more of Obi-Wan tonight.
The Jedi turn’d from me; do not the same.
PADMÉ: Who is this who doth speak with tongue like knife?
I tell thee truly, I know not thy name.
Mine heart is broken by mind alteration;
This path thou follow’st is not mine to walk.
(*sobbing in the background*)
>PAMDÉ: I prithee stop this now, and come thou back.
I love thee still.
VADER: —Thou, liar, shalt die soon:
Thou didst bring him to kill me—‘tis a fact!
>VADER: Now peaceful currents run because of me,
Now freedom doth resound upon the flow,
Now justice have I brought unto the deep,
Now quick security both chart my way,
Now I am admiral to Empire new.
I am monarch of the sea: a Sith.
OBI-WAN: An empire new—what chantey mad is this?
VADER: Do not make me destroy you, Obi-Wan.
OBI-WAN: My steadfast loyalty is to th’Republic,
Unto democracy mind hull is moor’d.
VADER: If you shall pilot by another path,
You sink and are become mine enemy.
OBI-WAN: None but a Sith would set his helm so straight,
As though beset by terrors all around.
A Jedi knoweth well the difference
Betwixt a proper pride and misled hubris.
A Jedi doth not deal in absolutes.
I shall do what I must to see thee right.
(THESE QUOTES HAVE SENT ME)
>VADER: I should have known the Jedi would attempt
To vanquish the Republic and seize pow’r.
OBI-WAN: O, listen to thy words:
the chancellor,
E’en Palpatine, ‘tis he who evil is.
VADER: Yet from a certain point of view—e’en mine—
The Jedi are the base and evil ones.
OBI-WAN: Then art thou lost indeed, my onetime friend.
>OBI-WAN: ‘Tis finish’d Anakin, the triumph’s mine!
Here I do claim the high ground, yea, and all
The keen advantages it offereth.
(HE HATH THE HIGH GROUND INDEED)
>OBI-WAN: Thou wert the chosen one, who would destroy
The Sith, not join their frightful company.
Thou shouldst have brought new balance to the Force,
Not leave it underneath a veil of dark.
>OBI-WAN: —Lady, ‘tis your son.
PADMÉ: He shall be Luke, and walk among the skies.
Heart of mine heart, and issue of my love.
...
OBI-WAN: —See,
A daughter, too, a pair of children sweet.
PADMÉ: ‘Tis Leia, who, like me, is royalty.
Brave spirit, so remember thy sad mother.
(This is even more sad because if you remember in Return of the Jedi, when Luke asks Leia about their real mother, she responds that she remember how sad her mother was...*SOBS INCREASE*)
**This final monologue of Anakin physically becoming Darth Vader is so emotional**
>VADER: This mask shall hide the man that I once was,
Behind the mask my secret thoughts shall lay,
Beneath the mask shall be my private lair,
The mask, impenetrable, makes me free.
Within the full security it gives
I shall fulfill my radiant destiny:
Bring balance to the Force as I do live
A life of vengeance, power, and reward.
September 18, 2015
24 hours ago...
O, pray, but listen to mine small story,
A book hath now arrived, kindl'ng my will
To race, abandon my post, my duty
And gaze upon words most tragic and sad.
Woe doth visit upon those who cannot...
To read e'en now the tragedy most sad
The Tragedy of the Revenge of Sith
But, fear ye not, dear Youngling, thy time comes!
Thou canst, verily, read this book and prize!
I do but shudder, soon poor Padme dies!
Now...
O, woe, most terrible, such deep anguish!
Mine book, thou art but fleeting, though friend strong
A brief, but mighty company to me
So wherefore must thou depart hence so brisk?
Be still, mine heart, for Force awakens swift
Mayhap Sir Doescher -- curtains shallt 'gain lift?
O, pray, but listen to mine small story,
A book hath now arrived, kindl'ng my will
To race, abandon my post, my duty
And gaze upon words most tragic and sad.
Woe doth visit upon those who cannot...
To read e'en now the tragedy most sad
The Tragedy of the Revenge of Sith
But, fear ye not, dear Youngling, thy time comes!
Thou canst, verily, read this book and prize!
I do but shudder, soon poor Padme dies!
Now...
O, woe, most terrible, such deep anguish!
Mine book, thou art but fleeting, though friend strong
A brief, but mighty company to me
So wherefore must thou depart hence so brisk?
Be still, mine heart, for Force awakens swift
Mayhap Sir Doescher -- curtains shallt 'gain lift?
May 30, 2021
The tragedies that we have seen do reach
Beyond the pale of what we humans should
Endure, far worse than mine imagination...
Well thank the Midi-chlorians thats over with. I really reget reading these in chronological order. At least i can move on to the original books now.
On its own i might have only rated this a high 3 but grading on a curve its much better. Although for almost every big soliloquy added by the adaptor, giving much needed depth or clarity to the plot, there will inevitably follow something clunky from the film that the adaptor couldn't change.
I'm not even sure i've ever watched this one... i mean i've definitely seen parts of it but not sure if i've ever sat down and watched it start to end.
The opening with the chancellor already kidnapped by General Grievous, who's i've barely heard of. I know he's from the cartoon but i mean who the hell thought that was a good idea?
Anyway, the adaptor really tries but can't entirely pull the Darth Vader plot thread out of its tailspin. Still overall, the best of the worst.
Beyond the pale of what we humans should
Endure, far worse than mine imagination...
Well thank the Midi-chlorians thats over with. I really reget reading these in chronological order. At least i can move on to the original books now.
On its own i might have only rated this a high 3 but grading on a curve its much better. Although for almost every big soliloquy added by the adaptor, giving much needed depth or clarity to the plot, there will inevitably follow something clunky from the film that the adaptor couldn't change.
I'm not even sure i've ever watched this one... i mean i've definitely seen parts of it but not sure if i've ever sat down and watched it start to end.
The opening with the chancellor already kidnapped by General Grievous, who's i've barely heard of. I know he's from the cartoon but i mean who the hell thought that was a good idea?
Anyway, the adaptor really tries but can't entirely pull the Darth Vader plot thread out of its tailspin. Still overall, the best of the worst.
December 26, 2015
I don't think it's exactly a controversial opinion to say that Revenge of the Sith is the best of the three prequel movies. Seriously, what's the competition? So I expected to like the Shakespeare version the best of all of the prequels, and I certainly did. And I think reading all of the Shakespeare prequels has given me new appreciation for the actual prequels. There's a decent overarching plot buried under terrible dialog and a weak first installment, and Palpatine's machinations get spun out with more subtlety than most movies would bother with. At any rate, Doescher has done a great job with the first six Star Wars movie, and I'm interested to see what he'll do with the seventh.
April 5, 2016
Šta reći, odličan završetak i nadajmo se nastavku priče :)
October 11, 2016
Now I've said this before with The Clone Army Attacketh and I'll say it again here: the low enjoyment level of this book came from the awful writing of the film itself. Ian Doescher did the best with what he was given. He did a great job with the theatrics of Anakin becoming Vader and Padme's 'woe is me' attitude. This movie was begging to be a Shakespeare play.
April 1, 2025
• In time so long begins our play,
In vengeful galaxy far, far away. •
⚔️💫💔
Wenn Shakespeare Sci-Fi geschrieben hätte, hätte es vermutlich so ausgesehen - "Tragedy of the Sith's Revenge" ist eine mehr als einzigartige Interpretation der originalen Episode III. Die Verse sind inhaltlich nah an der Filmvorlage, sodass man als Fan immer genau weiß, auf was diese anspielen. Trotzdem enthält das Büchlein auch ausgesprochen schöne Metaphern und arbeitet bestimmte Szenen in Monologen aus (spiegelbildlich zu Shakespeares soliloquies). Das unterstreicht noch einmal die tragischen Aspekte der Geschichte, die sie zu einer so herausragenden Wahl für dieses besondere Format machen.
4,5 Sterne.
In vengeful galaxy far, far away. •
⚔️💫💔
Wenn Shakespeare Sci-Fi geschrieben hätte, hätte es vermutlich so ausgesehen - "Tragedy of the Sith's Revenge" ist eine mehr als einzigartige Interpretation der originalen Episode III. Die Verse sind inhaltlich nah an der Filmvorlage, sodass man als Fan immer genau weiß, auf was diese anspielen. Trotzdem enthält das Büchlein auch ausgesprochen schöne Metaphern und arbeitet bestimmte Szenen in Monologen aus (spiegelbildlich zu Shakespeares soliloquies). Das unterstreicht noch einmal die tragischen Aspekte der Geschichte, die sie zu einer so herausragenden Wahl für dieses besondere Format machen.
4,5 Sterne.
April 13, 2016
The dark fate of Anakin Skywalker is realized in “William Shakespeare’s Tragedy of the Sith’s Revenge” by Ian Doescher. The final prequel film was witness to the end of love and the rise of empire with little hope at the end, of which Doescher brings out in fantastic Elizabethan language just as Shakespeare would of if he had written it.
The journey of Anakin into Darth Vader alongside the downfall of the Jedi and the Republic to a Sith-led Empire is the central arc of the entire book. Doescher’s use of Shakespeare’s play-within-a-play theme as Palpatine’s vehicle to steer Anakin to the dark side is well done and another impressive choice the author has made throughout this adaptation series. The use of the character Rumour throughout the prequels pays off in this book as this character of Fate is given a departing soliloquy during Anakin and Obi-Wan’s epic duel in Act V. The duel itself is handled masterfully with asides from both characters and direct dialogue between them. Though unable to intertwine the various scenes post-duel, Doescher is able to construct a suitable sequence in which they occur rapidly one upon another to great effect.
The “Tragedy of the Sith’s Revenge” lives up to is heartbreaking title, but just as the film it ends with a little glimmer of hope. Doescher hints that he might be adapting the upcoming sequel trilogy, if this is the last adaptation of the Star Wars films into Elizabethan theater then like he begun the series Doescher ends it on a high.
The journey of Anakin into Darth Vader alongside the downfall of the Jedi and the Republic to a Sith-led Empire is the central arc of the entire book. Doescher’s use of Shakespeare’s play-within-a-play theme as Palpatine’s vehicle to steer Anakin to the dark side is well done and another impressive choice the author has made throughout this adaptation series. The use of the character Rumour throughout the prequels pays off in this book as this character of Fate is given a departing soliloquy during Anakin and Obi-Wan’s epic duel in Act V. The duel itself is handled masterfully with asides from both characters and direct dialogue between them. Though unable to intertwine the various scenes post-duel, Doescher is able to construct a suitable sequence in which they occur rapidly one upon another to great effect.
The “Tragedy of the Sith’s Revenge” lives up to is heartbreaking title, but just as the film it ends with a little glimmer of hope. Doescher hints that he might be adapting the upcoming sequel trilogy, if this is the last adaptation of the Star Wars films into Elizabethan theater then like he begun the series Doescher ends it on a high.
April 27, 2017
Shakespeare and Revenge of the Sith are basically a match made in heaven.
February 17, 2020
Another triumph. All the melodrama that doesn't work in the prequel movies works fantastically in a Shakespearean tragedy. This was a three star book for a while, but the fifth act hauled it up to a four. The first act is also great with the action. I was tempted to go whole hog with all five stars, but two acts can't carry the whole book. The fault isn't Doescher's; it's the source material again. You have to slog through some painful love scenes, but they're mercifully fewer than in The Clone Army Attacketh.
Reading the afterword first didn't provide any real gems to look out for this time, but all the elements from the previous installments were present in this one. Anakin and Padme' speak in rhyming quatrains until they break up when the quatrains become near-rhyming. Yoda still speaks in haiku, and I assume all of Mace Windu's parts made a reference to one of Samuel L. Jackson's movies. I missed most of these since Ian's probably dredging the bottom of the barrel to get unique films at this point. In fact, I caught only a couple:
"Thou art a jumper in thy loyalties,"
"If this is true, then unto the Republic
thou art a patriot; games play thou not:
Art thou most certain Palpatine's the sith?"
I didn't even remember him being in Patriot Games, but it's been years since I've seen it... No wait... I've never seen it. Clear and Present Danger was the Jack Ryan movie I've seen. Anyway, if you're a Jackson fan, you'll probably pick up a lot more than I did.
You can tell Doescher had fun making this. He also inserts things that sound like they should be rooted in Shakespeare but actually come from somewhere else even if it's included in a soliloquy based on a Shakespearean play. E.g.: Vader telling Obi-Wan "I am the monarch of the sea: a Sith." "Monarch of the sea" is a familiar term, but not Shakespearean. It's the title of a song in the old Gilbert and Sullivan Opera H.M.S. Pinafore, though the phrase may have even been an old one when they wrote it; I don't know about that. I love these little gems and wish I had education enough to catch all of them. I'm sure this thing is just loaded with obscure references.
A couple of things are explained in here that help connect some of the hey-that-doesn't-make-sense aspects of the original trilogy. Leia explains to Luke in Return of the Jedi that she barely remembers her "real" mother, and we should be amazed she remembers her at all since she died a couple minutes after Leia was born. But it turns out Padme' tells Leia "Brave spirit, do remember thy sad mother." I guess she took it to heart. I guess it's something like this a long, long time from now in a galaxy far closer to our own:
"Remember."
When Yoda bids Obi-Wan to see to Vader while he takes care of the Emperor, Obi-Wan is conflicted and gives us a soliloquy. Here's the second half:
This explains his misdirection of the truth in episode IV and the explanation in episode VI. Hit us with another pearl of wisdom, Obi, with a reworking (and improvment) of one of my favorite quotes in this film.
As Vader lay slow roasting on Mustafar, he gives us a pretty bleak outlook on life, but who can blame him? He had a pretty rough go of things in this tale even if he brought it on himself. I'll leave you with a bit of that soliloquy.
Like I said at the start, the melodrama which makes me cringe in the movie works wonderfully here. Solid recommendation for this and allsix nine books in this series if you like Shakespeare and Star Wars. I hope he gives the new movies this treatment. (2/16/20 update: Hope realized.)
Reading the afterword first didn't provide any real gems to look out for this time, but all the elements from the previous installments were present in this one. Anakin and Padme' speak in rhyming quatrains until they break up when the quatrains become near-rhyming. Yoda still speaks in haiku, and I assume all of Mace Windu's parts made a reference to one of Samuel L. Jackson's movies. I missed most of these since Ian's probably dredging the bottom of the barrel to get unique films at this point. In fact, I caught only a couple:
"Thou art a jumper in thy loyalties,"
"If this is true, then unto the Republic
thou art a patriot; games play thou not:
Art thou most certain Palpatine's the sith?"
I didn't even remember him being in Patriot Games, but it's been years since I've seen it... No wait... I've never seen it. Clear and Present Danger was the Jack Ryan movie I've seen. Anyway, if you're a Jackson fan, you'll probably pick up a lot more than I did.
You can tell Doescher had fun making this. He also inserts things that sound like they should be rooted in Shakespeare but actually come from somewhere else even if it's included in a soliloquy based on a Shakespearean play. E.g.: Vader telling Obi-Wan "I am the monarch of the sea: a Sith." "Monarch of the sea" is a familiar term, but not Shakespearean. It's the title of a song in the old Gilbert and Sullivan Opera H.M.S. Pinafore, though the phrase may have even been an old one when they wrote it; I don't know about that. I love these little gems and wish I had education enough to catch all of them. I'm sure this thing is just loaded with obscure references.
A couple of things are explained in here that help connect some of the hey-that-doesn't-make-sense aspects of the original trilogy. Leia explains to Luke in Return of the Jedi that she barely remembers her "real" mother, and we should be amazed she remembers her at all since she died a couple minutes after Leia was born. But it turns out Padme' tells Leia "Brave spirit, do remember thy sad mother." I guess she took it to heart. I guess it's something like this a long, long time from now in a galaxy far closer to our own:
"Remember."
When Yoda bids Obi-Wan to see to Vader while he takes care of the Emperor, Obi-Wan is conflicted and gives us a soliloquy. Here's the second half:
Mayhap what Yoda says hath seeds of truth:
The Anakin I knew is come to naught
And hath been slain by Vader's presence vile.
Is this but rationalization, or
Is it some higher wisdom I may trust?
Methinks one day I may believe 'tis true-
When thought of from a certain point of view.
This explains his misdirection of the truth in episode IV and the explanation in episode VI. Hit us with another pearl of wisdom, Obi, with a reworking (and improvment) of one of my favorite quotes in this film.
None but a Sith would set his helm so straight,
As though beset by terrors all around.
A Jedi knoweth well the difference
Betwixt a proper pride and misled hubris.
A Jedi doth not deal in absolutes.
As Vader lay slow roasting on Mustafar, he gives us a pretty bleak outlook on life, but who can blame him? He had a pretty rough go of things in this tale even if he brought it on himself. I'll leave you with a bit of that soliloquy.
This life - this horrid, gods-forsaken life-
Hath been but years of endless misery.
If this is what we humans may expect-
This turmoil that befalls each human life-
'Twere better that we slay each newborn babe
That enters this horrendous galaxy.
For certain, I unto the Jedi Younglings
Did grant a sweet and premature release
From all the toil that life could offer them.
O, that someone would do the same for me,
Would come and slay me as I suffer here.
Like I said at the start, the melodrama which makes me cringe in the movie works wonderfully here. Solid recommendation for this and all
December 10, 2021
so this is how liberty dies? with insomnia
September 1, 2020
I just loved this. Revenge of the Sith is my favorite Star Wars film so I had a high bar set and it didn't disappoint! I could read a whole book of Anakin and Padme rhyming lines with each other, I love those two so much, and the scene where they fall apart is just as heartbreaking as it is in the film. I also continue to love the Easter eggs Ian Doescher slips in. R2 randomly makes a "Frozen" reference, and the line "a certain point of view" is played on several times. If I would make one improvement to the book, I would have given Padme more lines about her mental state before she dies of grief, and Anakin more inner narration as he's being transformed into Vader. It's super important that their deaths, both literal and metaphorical, parallel each other. But it's RotS, I was bound to be picky about what I wanted to be acknowledged.
September 24, 2015
These books are like Mystery Science Theater for someone who isn't a big Star Wars fan. Take something meh, make it awesome. I missed the aside from a random character that made me laugh in the other books, but I know he had a great deal to cram into this story. I enjoyed the callback to Shakespeare's play within a play, the subtlety of Palpatine's coercion, and the great coverage of Obi-wan and Anakin's big battle entirely in asides. That made a scene with little speaking both easy to follow and very funny (at least to me. Seriously, picture them as actors on a stage narrating every move. It's hilarious).
Thank you, Ian, for these books. They are amazing and I look forward to 7-9.
Thank you, Ian, for these books. They are amazing and I look forward to 7-9.
October 29, 2022
Once again, Doescher does a fabulous job, but the story of the movie is just bleah or blah for me (I am no longer ever sure which one to use because I didn't grow up with "blah"). Plus, of course, I had no desire to watch Anakim go down the dark path to becoming the dark one even knowing all along this would happen. Etc. Not as bad as the clone army one, but close.
Nevertheless, this would be quite fun in a dramatized audiobook.
Nevertheless, this would be quite fun in a dramatized audiobook.
September 4, 2015
really good, so much like a Shakespearean tragedy actually
VERDICT: In Shakespeare-style, Star Wars comes to a close with this dramatic last book in the series. Its revenge and tragic characters will make you rediscover both works with a new perspective. Masterful.
see my full review:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2015/09/04/b...
VERDICT: In Shakespeare-style, Star Wars comes to a close with this dramatic last book in the series. Its revenge and tragic characters will make you rediscover both works with a new perspective. Masterful.
see my full review:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2015/09/04/b...
August 10, 2016
Such a great ending to such a great series!
December 18, 2017
I don't know if it's me that is not in the mood for it or if this book is indeed too slow for a funny play...it's my favorite episode from the second trilogy. I'm kind of disappointed :(
November 9, 2021
Don’t bother watching the movie, this is the true way to enjoy this episode (or any episode) of Star Wars. Ian Doescher is amazing and fails to disappoint.
Reading Scavenger Hunt: a sad story
Reading Scavenger Hunt: a sad story
November 28, 2021
Well, we all know drama should be performed and not read, so please, join me in raising funds for the staged and filmed version, my PayPal is-
June 10, 2025
Guys, this one actually made me emotional. I was shocked by the fact that this movie that always makes me laugh was transformed into something that really made me think of the tragedy of this situation. I do think he, once again, improved on the source material.
I did kinda miss the EXTREMELY quotable moments which he frequently transformed into something more poetic. However, I will never be upset by anything he does. Just fantastic.
Sad to say, I've now read all of the Shakespeare's Star Wars. I will rejoice to read them again. Loved every moment, and I recommend it to everyone I think would fall into the niche of star wars enjoyers and Shakespeare lovers.
Thank you, Ian Doescher. My life would be a bit less fun without these.
I did kinda miss the EXTREMELY quotable moments which he frequently transformed into something more poetic. However, I will never be upset by anything he does. Just fantastic.
Sad to say, I've now read all of the Shakespeare's Star Wars. I will rejoice to read them again. Loved every moment, and I recommend it to everyone I think would fall into the niche of star wars enjoyers and Shakespeare lovers.
Thank you, Ian Doescher. My life would be a bit less fun without these.
December 29, 2020
“Chancellor Palpatine, Sith Lords are our specialty” in Shakespeare speak becomes—>
“with due respect, O Chancellor, Sith Lords the keenest object of our study are. We two are specialists in their domain” 😂
Nicely done
“with due respect, O Chancellor, Sith Lords the keenest object of our study are. We two are specialists in their domain” 😂
Nicely done
January 3, 2021
Well, even Doescher can't make the plot stupidity work (why does Padme have to retire when she becomes a mum for instance). But to give Doescher credit he at least tries to go after Order 66.
June 29, 2021
[Review provided by teen volunteer, Neev.] 5 Stars - Out of the first 3 William Shakespeare Star Wars books, in my opinion, this one is the best. The writing, characters, and adaptation are clearly the best out of any of the prequel ones. This book takes a different view than the first two and really doubles down on the Shakespeare-like writing. For example, R2 beeps in Iambic Pentameter! This book actually adds a lot of extra story than the movie. For example, we get R2's thoughts throughout the book, even though we cannot hear him in the movie. He even adds one or two minor characters that add some humor or tell some extra story. This is the best of the prequel Shakespeare books as it takes a different path than the movie while still sticking to the theme, that being Shakespeare books.
December 23, 2016
I really enjoyed this play. Unlike the previous two instalments, it really felt like it fit into the Shakespeare format - allowing Doescher to use his awesome action writing and flawless character development skills to the the full. All the soliloquys he added really helped dig into what the characters were thinking (and cut out the scenes of sitting in silence, yay!) and the remodelling of Shakespeare quotes and scenes worked so well for me (Palpatine's parody of Hamlet's play-within-a-play in particular was so creative). Honestly I thought this was a perfect adaptation which has given me new appreciation for the film it was based on.
May 29, 2018
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Ian Doescher has achieved greatness with this Shakespeare Star Wars series. They are seriously some of the most brilliant books I’ve ever read.
I don’t know how he does it, because I hate whiny Anakin in the prequel trilogy, but Doescher manages to make him a sympathetic character. I could feel the conflict in him in a way that I was not able to feel in the movie. Padme dying for love was less pathetic than in the movie, and Obi-Wan’s love of Anakin was much more obvious here.
And - he even made a reference to FROZEN!
Ian Doescher has achieved greatness with this Shakespeare Star Wars series. They are seriously some of the most brilliant books I’ve ever read.
I don’t know how he does it, because I hate whiny Anakin in the prequel trilogy, but Doescher manages to make him a sympathetic character. I could feel the conflict in him in a way that I was not able to feel in the movie. Padme dying for love was less pathetic than in the movie, and Obi-Wan’s love of Anakin was much more obvious here.
And - he even made a reference to FROZEN!
May 17, 2016
Out of the entire series, I felt this book worked the best. The Revenge of the Sith really is a story based on tragedy, so that theme fits the Shakespearean mood. It was a solid end to the prequels, and the dialogue we hear from Palpatine as he reveals himself is simply awesome.
I hope Doescher continues on with books 7, 8, and 9.
I hope Doescher continues on with books 7, 8, and 9.
April 28, 2017
I love any book that takes a classic or cult hit and puts a literary spin on it, and this book did exactly that. Hilarious to read Yoda speak with a Shakespearian twist. I think any Star Wars fan who appreciates literature will love this book.
August 21, 2017
This is the sixth book in the series I've read, and I love them all. I'm so excited for The Force Doth Awaken to come out in a couple of months. I really want to see how a Kylo Ren temper tantrum is done via Shakespeare. <3
March 21, 2016
Quite well done. This entire series is gold!
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