The second installment of each trilogy of episodes centers on the Jedi's relationship with war.
In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda tells Luke Skywalker, "Wars not make one great." He goes on to explain the Jedi philosophy of non-aggression: "A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack."
In both Attack of the Clones and The Last Jedi, the central question is whether or not the Jedi will be drawn into a war. The two films' answers to that question are almost direct inversions of each other.
Attack of the Clones begins with Mace Windu saying that the Jedi are "keepers of the peace, not soldiers." However, the ending of the film reverses this statement: the Jedi become soldiers and lead a military offensive, compromising their philosophy of non-aggression.
The Last Jedi begins with Luke Skywalker scoffing at the idea that he would "walk out with a laser sword and face down the whole First Order." However, the ending of the film reverses this statement: Luke chooses to walk out with his lightsaber, face down the whole First Order, and defend the Resistance without a single attack, epitomizing the Jedi philosophy of non-aggression.
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Characters: Luke Skywalker / Mace Windu / Yoda
Films: Episode II: Attack of the Clones / Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back / Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
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Concepts: aggression / defense / Jedi / war and peace
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