William Shakespeare's The Jedi Doth Return

Yet shall we fare far better than we will
If we engage the Death Star! And belike
Our deaths shall mean their deaths as well. Lay on!

[Lando of Calrissian, Nien Nunb, Admiral

Ackbar, Wedge Antilles and all rebels and

Imperial pilots begin to exit as they duel, while

Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Emperor

Palpatine watch from above.

Emperor

Thy fleet hath lost, and thy dear ones upon
The Endor moon shall not survive. Indeed,
My troops shall make them squeal in agony.
There’s nothing left for which to fight, and no
Escape for thee, my young apprentice. Thine
All’ance shall be destroy’d, as shall thy friends.
The cry of dying rebels—O, how sweet!
How like a song unto my spirit dark.
And now, young one, I feel thine anger rise.
I sense thy hatred, which doth stir my blood.
I sit here, all defenseless, in thy sight.
Take up thy weapon now, and strike me down
In all thy hate, and then your journey t’ward
The dark side of the Force shall be complete.

Luke

[ aside:] This man is pure incarnate evil. Shall
He goad me past the point of no return?
But what else can I do? Shall I remain
And weakly watch the death of all I love?
Nay, I cannot—for I would rather die
Than live and know I did not fight for them.
I must have courage now, and come what may!

[Luke reaches out toward his lightsaber with the Force, drawing it into his hand. He tries to strike the Emperor but is stopped by Darth Vader’s lightsaber.

Emperor

Ha, ha! Thy transformation hath begun!
Your steps draw ever closer unto me.

[Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader duel.

Luke

[ aside:] Now shall I fight, if fight I must to save
My friends so dear.

Vader

[ aside:] —He is far stronger and
More subtly skill’d than when we last did meet.

[Luke Skywalker kicks Darth Vader off the balcony. Darth Vader stands up below, ready.

Emperor

’Tis well, apprentice—thine aggressiveness
Shall serve thee well. Let all thy hatred flow
Within thee.

[Luke Skywalker turns off his lightsaber.

Vader

—Obi-Wan hath taught thee well.

Luke

I shall not fight thee, Father.

[Darth Vader climbs the balcony and strikes at Luke Skywalker.

Vader

—Unwise art
Thou so to lower thy defenses, boy!

[They continue to duel. Luke Skywalker jumps away from Darth Vader.

[ Aside:] His nimbleness astounds me. Almost do
I wish I did not serve another’s will.
Imagine what we two could do, were I
Not subject to another’s ev’ry whim.

Luke

Thy thoughts betray thee, Father. I can feel
The good within thee, and the conflict, too.

Vader

There is no conflict.

Luke

—Aye, thou couldst not bring
Thyself to kill me earlier and I
Believe thou shalt not hurt me, even now.

Vader