Page 24 - Star Wars Insider #176

HEROES

Padmé Amidala

Archetype: Queen
Strengths: Diplomacy, faith in people, warrior

When we meet Padmé in intellectually curious. The This faith in democracy
The Phantom Menace, chance to explore Tatooine is leads to one of the most
she is obscured by her royal an opportunity to learn more ominous moments in Star
mask as Queen Amidala. Her about the galaxy. Her encounter Wars, as Palpatine declares
planet Naboo is under siege by in Watto’s junk shop with a himself Emperor and Padmé
the Trade Federation and she young Anakin Skywalker reveals says to Senator Bail Organa, “So
refuses to capitulate. Her hard her naiveté about slavery, but this is how liberty dies… with
stance doesn’t dissuade the also her ability to connect with thunderous applause.”
Federation’s leader, Nute someone with very different life To believe in something, to
Gunray, and as his forces experiences. Later, she comforts trust in a process, requires faith
capture the capital city, Padmé Anakin as he accompanies in people. That undoubtedly
flees with her handmaidens, them to Coruscant. leaves a person vulnerable to

hoping to find a diplomatic Although diplomacy the failings or evil intentions of
solution through the Galactic ultimately fails, the Naboo others. Ultimately, Padmé never

Senate. Although her world is queen decides to fight for her stopped believing in people,
in a tenuous position, the mask planet. The Phantom Menace even her husband Anakin
remains, hiding fear in the face showcases women as warriors, Skywalker who betrayed the
of overwhelming circumstances with the handmaidens an Republic and her. Her prophetic

that find them stranded on the integral part of Nute Gunray’s words to Obi-Wan Kenobi,
backwater world of Tatooine. capture in the Throne Room. “There is still good in him,”
When Padmé poses as After the liberation of were proven true decades later
a lowly handmaiden to Naboo, Padmé returns to the by her son Luke Skywalker, who
accompany Qui-Gon Jinn in world of diplomacy, joining found a way to connect with a
search of repair parts for her the Senate. She believes in the father who had very different
Royal Starship, she exposes process of democracy, and most life experiences, and brought
her true nature. Padmé is importantly in its people. him back into the light.

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