Tragedy of the Common Clone

Spoilers Below for Clone Wars Season 7

Previously we explored the usage of Aristotle's Poetics in the MCU. In the Star Wars Universe, we see a modern application of Arthur Miller's modern hero in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Not a powerful Jedi or an influential king, but rather the lens of focus in aimed on a captain serving in the war.

To understand the clash between Captain Rex and the social environment, we must know what it means to be a clone trooper. Clone troopers were created in labs to fight enemy droids in the "Clone Wars" which lasted three years. They were created to be highly effective, creative, and fully obedient. No apparent flaws other than the conflict that arises with the ability to critically think and senseless orders with bad intentions.

Environment

Battle of Umbara Rex struggles to follow the order of his superior, a Jedi, that believes brute force is the path to victory. Ordering his fellow soldiers to charge into the enemy, into the hands of death. The numerous deaths of his brothers forces Rex to reflect on where his loyalties lie. Whether he would stand against his superiors and defy orders to preserve the life of a many clone troopers, or continue to fight the enemy regardless of the costs.

Rex takes a moral stance against his orders.

Siege of Mandalore

Following Order 66, a command to eliminate all Jedi, Rex manages to break free from his programming that forces him to be fully obedient. However, by refusing to follow orders to protect his friend Ahsoka, Rex displaces himself from the side of his fellow brothers. In the aftermath, Rex faces his the conflict between what he wants to be, and what he is supposed to be. Rex wishes to preserve the peace and stability of the galaxy, but he realizes that is not what his true purpose is for.

Rex takes a moral stance against his orders again.

Conclusion

Rex parallels a lot of points from Arthur Miller's modern hero. Tragedy occurs when Rex faces an external conflict that denies him fulfillment of his chosen image of self. Rex wishes to serve the galaxy as an honorable soldier. However, on multiple occasions, the orders of his superiors cause him to follow ill commands. Yet, Rex's moral principles challenges his programmed orient behavior against following immoral orders. And time and time again, wishing that the next mission will be better, further events occur to make Rex question the validity of his superiors. With repeated separation of his self image and his environment, tragedy occurs in the death of his friends and exile from his fellow brothers.

However, at his most critical moment, Rex chose to leave behind his life to do the right thing. To protect the lives and freedom of the innocent as he was trained to do. And for his heroic acts, sacrificing the life he knew, Rex deserves the title of hero.

References

Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Directed by Dave Filoni. Disney 2020.

Captain Rex Image Video 1

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