A Sentence Without Meaning
Though it was already unclear, one of Obi-wan Kenobi's words from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith has become even more so in light of new Star Wars TV series. Since its premiere, Revenge of the Sith has gained a lot of popularity among fans of Star Wars films and television series; many people even think it's one of the finest. Still, a few of the criticisms voiced by spectators at the time of its debut are valid now.
The Absolutes and the Jedi
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes," Obi-Wan bafflingly remarked prior to Anakin and Obi-Wan's fight on Mustafar. This confused me right away for several reasons. First of all, it is ironic to argue that such a statement is absolute in and of itself. It also went against all that had previously been portrayed about the Jedi.
In particular, when it comes to the Force, the Jedi think in extremely binary terms. The Jedi have severe restrictions concerning attachments because they are quite clear about which Force powers, beliefs, and actions are on the light side and which are on the dark side in Star Wars. In addition, the Jedi strive for balance in the Force; nevertheless, they have always understood this to include vanquishing the Sith and shunning the dark side. It is inconceivable that the Jedi do not likewise hold certain beliefs to be absolutes, and Obi-Wan's reasoning for making such a generalization is unclear.
The Sith Accept Uncertainty
Obi-Wan's claim is even more bizarre because Star Wars has repeatedly demonstrated that Sith are far more adaptable and ready to embrace moral ambiguity than Jedi are. Actually, The Acolyte's Qimir just made this quite clear. Qimir was all about operating in the gray areas and not being overly dogmatic, even if he was a Sith. It's even unclear if this is a genuine goal or just a ruse, but his goal with Osha seems to be to give her the freedom to feel what she really feels.
Compared to the Jedi, the Sith are far more adaptable and ready to tolerate moral ambiguity. This directly contradicts what Obi-Wan said by not implying that Qimir thinks in absolutes. Furthermore, Barriss Offee, Kylo Ren, and Asajj Ventress are all good examples of dark side Force users that are more adaptable in their thinking than Jedi, so Qimir is not the only one. Regretfully, the reason behind Obi-wan Kenobi's statement in Revenge of the Sith is still unknown, and it appears that Star Wars won't address it.
The Bigger Picture and the "Only a Sith Deals in Absolutes" Line
Not only is Obi-Wan's comment absurd, but it also goes against the main ideas of the Star Wars series. The Jedi Order has experienced internal strife and doctrine throughout its existence. The Jedi Order has failed in many ways because of its strict dedication to a "right way".
It appears from Obi-Wan's statement that only the Sith deal in absolutes that the Jedi are exempt from these constraints. But the Jedi's strict discipline, emphasis on harmony, and unwavering hunt down the Sith all reveal a very absolute worldview. Because of their unwavering faith in their own goodness, the Jedi are oblivious to the dark side and unable to recognize Anakin Skywalker's potential for salvation.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi Line's Legacy
The quote from Obi-Wan Kenobi serves as a helpful reminder that even the most lovable Star Wars characters occasionally make mistakes. It also illustrates the intricacies of the Force and the difficulties in preserving equilibrium in a galaxy where the distinctions between good and evil are frequently hazy. Star Wars canon now includes the line, even if it makes no sense. Its survival shows how open the series is to admitting its own contradictions and how it's always changing.
