Love and War
It is a rare thing today when young lovers challenge hell (or even have a hell by which to do so), but this is a fitting context for Anakin and Padme. In the courtly tradition, even those who have found their way to the unmarked "grotto of love" the troubadours celebrated always faced the ordeal of the inevitable parting. Afterwards, many poems protested the watchmen, for he announced the coming of the dawn, when the sweet embrace of night faded into the reality of lovers separated by the daylight world of proper society. Yet this undeniably fueled many of the more poignant lyrics. Gottfried spoke of the "dear pain" and "bitter sweetness" of such an experience, and the inseparability of joy and agony will certainly continue to play out for Anakin and Padme.
The themes of courtly love are forever a part of medieval literature, announcing themselves again and again in the tales of the age. Many of the old romances could go on for years without lovers even seeing one another, for there was almost always a situation that required them to be unrequited. Often, a knight would swear his allegiance to a certain lady, and she would sometimes be an older woman of high social standing. The ladies were often seen as somewhat of a civilizing force for young men, and as such, were usually in positions of authority over them. The knights would go out and perform valiant deeds in their names, sometimes winning a kiss, sometimes something more. In such a situation, the young men would be the ones to prostrate themselves before their beloved, whether literally in life or metaphorically in poetry. "Behold, I am at thy command," the troubadour Benart de Ventadorn once wrote, helpless against his lady and the "tyrant-goddess love."
Clearly, there are many parallels to be found with this in Attack of the Clones. Anakin is a Padawan learner sworn to the Jedi, even as his heart lies with Padme. Under the authority of the Jedi Code, he has suffered through not seeing his beloved for ten years. Padme is appropriately four years older than he is, and is a senator of prominence and prestige. Anakin swears himself to her at every given opportunity, and finally tells her, "I will do anything that you ask." This certainly carries shades of Ventadorn, as does the phrase "m'lady," which both Anakin and Obi-Wan use in deference to
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