Did Luke actually try to kill Ben Solo?
Table of Contents
In the grand narrative of Star Wars, there are a few controversial moments that consistently ignite fierce debate among fans. One such moment is nestled within "The Last Jedi," where Luke Skywalker, our protagonist of yesteryears, momentarily contemplates killing his nephew, Ben Solo, while the latter is asleep. The scene unfolds with Luke igniting his lightsaber, only to be discovered by a bewildered Ben, setting into motion a chain of events that ultimately lead to Ben's transformation into Kylo Ren. This moment, as brief as it is, has led to a schism among the Star Wars fandom: did Luke Skywalker genuinely intend to kill Ben Solo?
The crux of the matter is not so much about what happened, but rather, the intent behind it. The scene leaves us grappling with the question of whether our venerable Jedi Knight, the beacon of hope, had truly planned on executing his own blood.
I. Argument that Luke Skywalker intended to kill Ben Solo
As we delve into the depths of this cosmic debate, let us first consider the argument that Luke Skywalker did indeed intend to kill Ben Solo. The scene in question, bathed in the eerie glow of a lightsaber, presents Luke standing over a sleeping Ben, weapon ignited. The very act of unsheathing a weapon, especially in the dead of night, in the confines of a sleeping child's room, is a compelling exhibit of intent. The loaded weapon, in this case, the ignited lightsaber, is often seen as a clear harbinger of imminent violence.
But let us not haste in our judgment, for the concept of intent is a labyrinthine one. Intent, as philosophers and legal scholars might tell you, is a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action. It's a bridge between thought and action, an internal resolution that precedes and propels the act. In this context, the act of igniting the lightsaber, coupled with the direct quote from Luke - "I thought I could stop it" - seems to paint a rather convincing picture of intent.
The movie narrative, through a series of flashbacks, provides us with a subjective viewpoint of both Luke and Ben. The third flashback, in particular, seems to solidify the notion of Luke's intent to kill. In this flashback, Luke is shown entering Ben's room, mind probing, lightsaber igniting, raising, and a sense of resolve in his eyes. Luke's own admission that the thought "passed like a shadow" further signals a change of mind, not the absence of intent to begin with.
At this point, a skeptic might argue that a change of mind invalidates the initial intent. But does it, really? A quick jaunt into the realm of criminology would reveal that an offender who abandons a crime halfway through is still culpable due to the initial intent. Ergo, the argument holds that even though Luke changed his mind, it does not erase the original intent.
However, we must tread carefully, for the world of Star Wars isn't our world, and the rules that bind us may not apply in a galaxy far, far away. Intent, action, and their consequences in the Star Wars universe could be governed by a different set of principles. While this argument seems to hold water, it is not without its potential objections, which we will explore further.
May the Force be with us as we venture further into the heart of this Star Wars controversy.
II. Argument that Luke Skywalker did not intend to kill Ben Solo
Having just navigated the nebulous intricacies of the claim that Luke Skywalker intended to kill Ben Solo, we now embark on a journey in the opposite direction. It is in this realm of thought that we find proponents of the notion that Luke did not, in fact, intend to perpetrate such a deed.
Let us revisit the contentious scene. There Luke stands, lightsaber ignited, looming over a sleeping Ben Solo. Yet the narrative unravels to reveal a crucial detail - Luke's immediate regret. The words "the moment passed like a fleeting shadow" are echoed, painting a picture of a man caught in a momentary lapse of judgment, a brief but powerful impulse quickly quelled by regret and shame.
But what of the ignited lightsaber, one might ask? Isn't that a clear indication of intent? To answer this, we must dive into the murky waters of intent and action, two entities that often, but not always, go hand in hand. Intent, as we've established earlier, is a mental commitment to an action. Action, on the other hand, is the physical manifestation of that commitment. It is possible, therefore, to have an intent without an action (think of the many times you've intended to exercise but ended up on the couch), and indeed an action without intent (ever mindlessly opened the fridge out of habit?).
Luke's immediate regret and decision not to act upon his initial impulse indicate a rapid change of intent. It suggests that while there was a brief flicker of a thought, it was immediately smothered by remorse and a firm resolution not to proceed. This perspective posits that intending to do something is not the same as attempting to do it. Intent requires a sustained commitment to act, not a fleeting thought soon replaced by regret.
Further supporting this argument, we can examine Luke's character and history. Recall the moment in "Return of the Jedi" when Luke, for a brief instant, seemed on the verge of killing Darth Vader, only to pull back and cast aside his weapon. His character is one that has consistently shown the capacity for internal conflict and moral struggle, but ultimately, he chooses the path of light.
III. Comparison of the two arguments
Now that we've journeyed through both sides of this galactic debate, let's take a step back and compare our findings.
On one hand, we have the argument that Luke Skywalker intended to kill Ben Solo, supported by the physical evidence of the ignited lightsaber, the secretive entry into Ben's room, and Luke's own admission of a thought that "passed like a shadow." This perspective relies heavily on the tangible evidence presented in the scene and the traditional understanding of intent.
On the other hand, we have the counterargument that Luke did not intend to kill Ben, citing his immediate regret and the lack of any actual attempt on Ben's life. This viewpoint emphasizes the distinction between intent and action, the importance of character analysis, and the significance of regret in understanding intent.
What's intriguing about these two perspectives is that while they seemingly oppose each other, they also share some common ground. Both agree that Luke had a fleeting thought of killing Ben, but they interpret this thought differently in terms of intent.
IV. Conclusion
We find ourselves, then, at the end of this cosmic journey, having explored the labyrinth of intent, action, and character through the lens of a single, controversial scene in "The Last Jedi." While the question of whether Luke Skywalker intended to kill Ben Solo remains open to interpretation, our exploration has revealed the complexity of the issue.
Each argument presents compelling points, and each has its strengths and potential weaknesses. The first argument gives us a pragmatic approach grounded in the tangible evidence presented in thescene, while the second argument offers a more psychological perspective, delving into the complexities of character, regret, and the distinction between intent and action.
The question, then, seems not to be about whether Luke Skywalker intended to kill Ben Solo in that moment, but rather, how we define and interpret intent in a galaxy far, far away. Are intent and action inseparable, or can they exist independently of each other? Is intent a static mental state, or is it mutable and subject to change? Does a momentary thought, however fleeting, constitute intent? And how do we reconcile this with our understanding of Luke Skywalker as a character?
