While Darth Maul is one of Star Wars' most iconic villains, not least because of his signature lightsaber. However, the dual-bladed laser sword likely represents a small revolt against his master, Palpatine. Maul and his Sith Master have a less than stellar relationship, and their differences in fighting style only accentuate their divide and deepen the complexity of their relationship.

While not seen in his film appearances, Darth Maul harbors a deep hatred of Palpatine, the man who ripped him from his home on Dathomir and made him into a weapon that the future Emperor clearly didn’t care about. Famously, Darth Maul uses a double-bladed lightsaber, the first of its kind ever seen in the Star Wars franchise at that time. Maul’s use of the saber is indicative of his aggressive fighting style, which overwhelms opponents. However, this style is odd considering Palpatine’s own views on lightsabers and their usefulness.

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In fact, Palpatine actively disdained lightsabers, which suggests that Maul’s focus on his double-bladed saber is a deliberate act of defiance against his master. Palpatine famously dislikes lightsabers, a fact he reiterates to Darth Vader in Star Wars #25's 'Darth Vader: The Lesson' (from Charles Soule and Giuseppe Camuncoli), saying, "The Sith’s weapon is not the lightsaber. It is the dark side of the Force." This is the basis of Palpatine’s hatred for the weapon. As he explains, lightsabers are only a symbol of power, not a real power like the Dark Side. Palpatine batters his apprentice with debris to prove lightsabers are meaingless against the Force, and has professed the only reason the Sith use the weapon so frequently is to corrupt the symbol of Jedi balance. In contrast, Maul is heavily reliant on his lightsaber.

Darth Maul Ignores Palpatine's Teachings

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Maul is known for his double-bladed lightsabers, and indeed professes to see himself in the weapon. In Star Wars Tales #10's 'Nameless' (from Christian Read and Chris Slane), Darth Maul equates himself to his lightsaber, describing both as nameless instruments of murder. Similarly, in his self-titled 2000 series (from Ron Marz and Jan Duursema), Maul utilizes his lightsaber even while under severe assault by the Force - choosing to muscle through bolts of Force Lightning and bisect his foe rather than resist using the Force. At every opportunity, Maul flouts Palpatine's philosophy, relying on the lightsaber over the Force.

Darth Maul Resisted Where He Could

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Darth Maul was taken by the Sith and indoctrinated since childhood, trained to believe that only slaying Jedi could fill the chasm in his soul. However, within this framework, he did attempt to defy Palpatine, who he hated with a burning passion - for example by seeking out unapproved prey, as fans see in Star Wars: Darth Maul (by Cullen Bunn and Luke Ross). In this context, it makes sense to see Maul's combat style as a way of 'disobeying' Palpatine. Sadly, like every emotion that feeds the Dark Side, this played into the Emperor's hands.

Much like how Palpatine sees the lightsaber, Maul is also used to create fear, wielded like a weapon by his master. Maul’s appearance and lightsaber are calculated to spread fear, to intimidate - just as Palpatine views a lightsaber. Ultimately, Palpatine's cautioning was proved wise, as Maul's over-reliance on his weapon and ferocity as a physical fighter get him bisected and later killed by those more capable in wielding the Force itself. Palpatine might be a diabolical tyrant, but if Darth Maul had heeded his lessons on the lightsaber instead of striking against them, it’s possible that his Star Wars fate may have been very different.

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