(OOC: I wasn't sure whether to put this here, under the era Dooku lived in, or under the 'Legacy of the Sith' area. If this is an inappropriate place for it, please let me know.)
Of all the Sith Lords who operated under Darth Sidious, Tyranus is often considered to be the one of least worth. This is strange, considering the fact the he should have been the most versatile of Sidious' pupils. Maul was a skilled warrior, but his fierce appearance made him suitable only for war. Vader was restricted by the armour essential to keep him alive. Dooku was charismatic, rich, influential, and undeniably talented in his mastery of both 'sides' of the Force. Despite all of his experience and skill, he was still an expendable pawn in Sidious' eyes.
As a Jedi, Dooku was one of the most respected. He trained many apprentices who went on to do notable deeds, for better or worse, like Komari Vosa and Qui-Gon Jinn. Tutored by Yoda, and then later apprenticed to Thame Cerulian, Dooku was a Master with one ultimately fatal flaw, Pride.
His pride led him to question the Chosen One, feeling that no one could simply be born destined to bring balance to the Force. He felt the Chosen One was rather a charismatic individual, with a strong enough sense of self and a disciplined mastery of the Force to allow them to embrace both shades of the Force to triumph restore the balance. A discription which he fit. He left the Jedi Order and joined Darth Sidious.
Dooku's final act as a Jedi was to kill his closest friend, Sifo-Dyas, sealing not only his place as a Sith, but as a pawn of Sidious. His status as a former Jedi blinded his companions in the Order to be blind to his turning. They even overlooked Dooku's infatuation with abilities gained via the Dark Side of the Force, an infatuation that had been carried with the Jedi Master since his first glimpses into the Sith Holocron as a youngling. This blindness on the Jedi's part served only to boost his ego further. Arrogance led Dooku to assume he was still in control of his actions.
Dooku followed Sidious' every instruction, making a name for himself as a litical idealist opposed to the corruption of the Republic, founding the Confederacy of Independant Systems, waging war against the Republic. His pride assured him he was untouchable, a necessity to Sidious' plans. So long as he followed his Master's instructions, Dooku would remain safe.
Dooku's arrogance blinded him to the fact that it was infact Sidious who controlled the Sepratist movement. Dooku was useful as a scapegoat, someone real for the Jedi and Republic to chase with the hope of ending the war, while Sidious slowly reformed the Republic. His invincibility ended with Anakin Skywalker's confessions to Sidious.
From what records remain, it is clear Dooku did not expect his disposal until the last second. Only when staring death in the face did he realise the truth. His own inflated ego, his dishonesty to himself, blinded him. He was Sidious' puppet, that same strong sense of self that was meant to save him from falling into darkness became the strings Sidious pulled to make Dooku dance.
The tradgedy of Count Dooku of Serenno is the fact that he need not have been a pawn. His experience with both the Light and Dark sides of the Force gave him a vast knowledge to draw upon. He had the influence and strength to have assumed a true position of power. Without his ego, Dooku could truly have mastered the Dark Side, and lead the Sith to a lasting victory unlike that Sidious brought.
The life of Count Dooku shows the futility of vices that cannot be overcome. His story is a tradgedy, for he was trapped, controlled, by a single flaw. Darth Maul may have been a single minded killer, but he had strength to know his limits. He was willing to admit he could not fight both Kenobi and Jinn, so seperated them.
It is important for all Sith to be aware of the effect of admitting and overcoming their character flaws. Otherwise, they shall be bound to a fate similar to that of Count Dooku of Serenno.
Darth Reaper
Wow. That's a cool lecture/speech thingy.
Emperor Shadow
An interesting overview.
Darth Acheron
Very interesting, and insightful. Dooku's life was a mysterious one, with hsi early life clouded by mystery, and his friendship with Syfo-Dyas unclear.
Darth Acrimonus
Indeed alot about Dooku still is unclear. Hopefully, one day, they'll release a Shadow Hunter type novel to explain some more of his background.
As for Sifo-Dyas, he is a mystery in himself. What drove him to order the clone army, which so coincidentally fit with Sidious' grand schemes? I think, though, like Yoda's species, he always will.
Scion
Syfo-Dyas was a great character because we know nothing of him, like almost every sith lord excluding Vader
Darth Acheron
A novel on Dooku would be great, maybe introducing his relation-ship with Sifo-Dyas and stuff. All we've had of his past were flash backs in Yoda: Dark Rendezvous and Legacy of the Jedi portions.
High Commander Vexen
Laberinth of Evil has flash backs of Dooku' life
Darth Acheron
Does it? I didn't think so, but I may need to read it again then.
Scion
Id rather have a book on Syfo Dyas
Darth Acheron
Yeah, though Dooku's early life is still interesting.
High Commander Vexen
yeah have you read Legacy of the Jedi
Darth Acheron
Yep, I own it. It doesn't seem to focus much on Dooku as it does that other Jedi dude, (Can't remember his name, )
High Commander Vexen
his name was Lorian Nod
Scion
Quote:
Yeah, though Dooku's early life is still interesting.
I could actually care less, the movie AOTC (which he was revealed in) was the movie that made me sdislike SW until ROTS came out
Lord Seti
I find your lack of faith disturbing. ROFL
Seti
Lord Seti
Darth Acrimonus quote:
Quote:
He left the Jedi Order, and joined Darth Sidious, in the hope of destroying the Sith from within.
I am curious if you could tell me the source for the idea of Dooku trying to destroy the Sith from within? I have not read all the books, but I've never heard this before. Or is this your own theory? Could you elaborate a little. Thanks.
Seti
High Commander Vexen
I too would like to know that
Darth Acrimonus
The idea of Dooku destroying the Sith from within has never been explicitly stated in any official material that I know of. Rather, an interpretation I came too whilst researching his life.
There are a number of factors that seem to (at least in my mind) support this idea:
1) Dooku left the Jedi as he felt they were corrupted by the beurocracy of the Republic, and did not stay true to their ideals. While he did not want to be a part of a corrupt order, there is still no indication Dooku was void of his morals.
2) He did not share the belief that Anakin Skywalker was the Chosen One, instead favouring an interpretation that fit himself ~(in hindsight, I seem to question this. While it does seem in Dooku's character to be arrogant enough to assume he was the Chosen One, there seems to be no official evidence).
3) While Dooku had an infatuation with abilities considered to be of the Dark Side, he seemed to uphold the belief that an individual of strong enough will power could use them without being corrupted.
At the very least, it would seem Dooku joined the Sith as he felt they would grant him to power needed to purge the corruption from the government. That said, I still don't see any evidence he wanted to irradicate the Jedi. Given the number of Dark Jedi he taught during the Clone War, it seems to me Dooku was preparing to reestablish a new Jedi Order after the fall of the Republic. That he would go along with the Jedi Purge, as well as the other corrupted acts of Palpatine's Empire, if he had remained Palpatine's apprentice seem unlikely.
Admittedly, claiming that he was out to destroy the Sith may've been taking an interpretation too far, but the character of Dooku has always seemed to maintain both his morals and honour. I honestly believe that Dooku was trying to make the galaxy a better place, not claim it as his own like Palpatine.
Darth Acheron
Well, then you should read both my post from the NEC regarding Dooku's decision, and LEgacy of the Jedi, in which he is drawn to the Dark Side by the Sith Holocron, and finds himself wanting more, like Anakin does, because he too relaises the Jedi are weaker.
Darth Acrimonus
I've edited out the line claiming Dooku wanted to destroy the Sith from within, trying to keep the overall peice to information contained in movies, novels, etc.
Quote:
Well, then you should read both my post from the NEC regarding Dooku's decision, and LEgacy of the Jedi, in which he is drawn to the Dark Side by the Sith Holocron, and finds himself wanting more, like Anakin does, because he too relaises the Jedi are weaker.
I have the NEC, and am aware of Dooku's infatuation with the Dark Side after he and a fellow students attempted to steal the Sith Holocron from the archive. I've also edited this in, as it is relevant.
I don't find myself agreeing with the final statement, though. I don't think Dooku ever thought the Jedi weak, only corrupt and amoral. But, I guess, each has their own reading.
Lord Seti
Darth Acrimonus wrote:
I don't find myself agreeing with the final statement, though. I don't think Dooku ever thought the Jedi weak, only corrupt and amoral. But, I guess, each has their own reading.
Darth Acrimonus I agree with you. I think, however, we're getting caught in semantics. The Jedi were not weak, per se, but weakened by their continued alliance with a corrupt immoral Republic. Corruption was a disease of the Republic that had infected the Jedi Order by its proximity. Dooku, Qui-Gon and a few others saw it. Dooku's difference was he saw it, then announced it loudly,,,very loudly.
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