Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith and Jedi Living Arrangements

In Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, we see Anakin Skywalker sleeping with Padme Amidala. Given the strictures of the Jedi Code, where did the Jedi reside and how did they manage to maintain their secrecy?

Living Arrangements at the Jedi Temple

Jedi like Anakin Skywalker typically had quarters within the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. The Temple provided living accommodations for Jedi which included sleeping quarters, training facilities, and communal areas. This arrangement allowed the Jedi to maintain their connection to the Order while having a semblance of a private life.

Junior vs. Senior Jedi

What about junior Jedi? In the military context, Junior Enlisted personnel do not have permission to live off base, but they can occasionally stay in town for a weekend. Similarly, Padawans, being akin to Junior Enlisted, are expected to reside within the Temple. However, once they attain the rank of Jedi Knight, they are granted permission to live away from the Temple.

Implications for Anakin's Activities

Anakin's significant relationship with Padme was secretive and possibly out of compliance with the Jedi Code. Since he was engaged in the Clone Wars, his absences might not have raised immediate alarms, but his prolonged absence likely would have been noticed by the Jedi Council, especially those close to him. The Council was preoccupied with the war, which might have diminished their vigilance regarding individual Jedi's personal lives.

Anakin's Furlough and the Jedi Council's Response

When Anakin was not seen at the Temple, the character Master questioned another character, Johnson, who responded with the unsettling revelation that Anakin was sleeping with Senator Padme Amidala. This admission implies that Anakin was on his way to acting outside the norms of Jedi conduct, likely due to his bond with Padme.

The Jedi Council, faced with Anakin's potential breach of the Code, had a lengthy discussion about the importance of the war and the efficacy of Master Kenobi in addressing the issue. They concluded that an excommunication for Anakin's potential attachment to Padme was not necessary, considering the war's pressing nature and the Jedi's need for skilled leaders like Anakin.

Excommunication and the Value of Anakin

Majestically, the Council stated, '...we need Skywalker. Because there is a war on and he’s a good field commander.' They reasoned that Anakin's minor infractions were not serious enough for excommunication. They acknowledged that spreading out and away from the temples likely affected the younger generation, but hoped that a return to community living would rectify this over time.

Conclusion

The Jedi Code, while meant to guide Jedi behavior, occasionally faced challenges when the greater good of protecting the Republic was at stake. Anakin's case serves as a poignant reminder of the conflict between personal attachments and the strictures of the Code.

The incident with Anakin and Padme is a crucial point in the Star Wars saga, highlighting the complex interplay between personal relationships and the responsibilities of a Jedi. As the war raged on, the Jedi faced the delicate balance between adhering to their principles and fulfilling their duties to protect the galaxy.