Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains in movie history. As a powerful Sith Lord, he seems fearless as he ruthlessly hunts down the Rebel Alliance. However, even the most imposing villains have fears and weaknesses. In looking at Darth Vader’s history and motivations, we can uncover what truly scares this armored Dark Lord of the Sith.
Losing control and power
As Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader was a slave on Tatooine before becoming a Jedi. This loss of control and power at a young age shaped him. As a Jedi, he was unable to prevent his mother’s death or save his wife Padmé. This drove Anakin to the dark side in an attempt to gain control over life and death.
Darth Vader is afraid of losing his station and control again. He kneels before his master Palpatine and ruthlessly eliminates threats to their power. Vader uses his powers to dominate and destroy because he fears being in a position of weakness again. This need for control means that any hint of rebellion or defiance from subordinates terrifies Vader. He reacts with violence in an attempt to maintain his position.
Physical vulnerability
Darth Vader relies on his intimidating mask, armor, and mechanical limbs to maintain power through fear. However, under the mask, Vader is physically weak and vulnerable. After his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar, Vader suffered devastating injuries and had to rely on his black armor and mask to survive. The suit helps regulate his damaged lungs and organs.
Without his suit, Vader could not move or breathe on his own. This makes him afraid of anything that could separate him from the technological systems he relies on. At times in the original trilogy, we see Vader express fear over things like electric shocks or water that could short out his suit’s systems. He is vulnerable to damage in combat and needs regular meditation and maintenance. This physical reliance terrifies Vader deep down.
Losing additional loved ones
Anakin Skywalker’s turn to the dark side was driven by his fear of losing his loved ones. However, even after becoming a Sith, Vader still fears losing more people he cares about. Underneath his cold exterior, remnants of Anakin’s personality remain.
Darth Vader reveals fear whenever his son Luke Skywalker is threatened in the original trilogy. This paternal fear drives Vader to save Luke from the Emperor during their confrontation on the second Death Star. After decades serving the dark side, vestiges of love and family still haunt the Sith Lord. The potential loss of his remaining family terrifies Darth Vader, reminding him of how much he has already lost.
Being surpassed by other Sith
As a Sith Lord, Darth Vader always wants more power and control. However, he also fears being replaced as the Emperor’s apprentice by someone even younger and stronger. Palpatine intentionally stokes this fear in Vader, insinuating that Luke Skywalker could one day replace his father at the Emperor’s side.
Vader wants to turn Luke to the dark side in part because the idea of Luke usurping him scares him to the core. No Sith apprentice wants to become expendable and cast aside by their master. Vader’s quest for endless power is driven by underlying fear that he too could be cast down if he shows weakness or is surpassed by another Force user.
Confronting Anakin Skywalker’s past
Becoming Darth Vader allowed Anakin Skywalker to bury his past and former identity. However, remnants of that past occasionally reemerge to haunt him. Vader finds echoes of his younger self in Luke Skywalker. Luke represents redemption, an acceptance of mortality, and a life unencumbered by so much fear and anger.
Facing Luke and the light side forces Vader to confront the ghosts of his past as Anakin Skywalker – the good person he seeks to bury inside. Exposure to Luke’s uncorrupted personality intensifies Vader’s fear of his own former identity. Anything that pierces his dark persona and rattles his commitment to the Sith path terrifies Vader at a deep level.
Helplessness against destiny
Darth Vader dedicated himself to controlling his own destiny. However, some part of Anakin Skywalker likely recognized that becoming a Sith was shaped by forces beyond his control. As a boy, Anakin even experienced visions of his future.
This loss of free will, manipulated fate, and the Force’s cryptic will all terrify Vader. As much as he thinks he controls his own destiny, Vader may fear how the Force guided him down a dark path. No matter how much power he gains, Darth Vader is unable to shape the Force’s will. Helplessness in the face of destiny scares him deeply. Only death grants him freedom.
Conclusion
Darth Vader obtains immense power as a Sith Lord but pays a steep price. His drive to avoid weakness and vulnerability makes him more machine than man. However, remnants of Anakin Skywalker’s fears lurk under Vader’s mask and armor. Losing control and loved ones, physical frailty, and destiny itself haunt the Sith apprentice. But ultimately Vader’s choices, while fueled by fear, lead him to once more embrace love and the light in his final heroic act. The fear passed like a shadow.