Why did Padme lose the will to live? She had just brought two beautiful babies into the "world".

This question, and the fact that she was willing--apparently--to leave those children behind, has haunted--and frustrated--fans for over two years now.

I think, to some degree, I have stumbled across the answer.

It started with a complaint. The History Channel was repeating their "Star Wars" special and I watched Padme's plea to Anakin. I have never liked that scene, because Padme seems so helpless and her words to Anakin are pleading, but not challenging, not in a way that makes Anakin think about what he is actually doing.

I have always had a problem with that scene. Padme was such a strong character in Episodes I and II, she was the most redeemable character in the Prequel series, in my opinion. In Episode III she seems needy and weak.

That's when it occurred to me. She was. And in the same situation, most of us, if not all of us, would be.

She has fallen in love with a man she should never have fallen in love with. She is now pregnant with his "child". Her world has turned to egg shells. She respects the Jedi, but to some degree, she is betraying them. She loves the Republic, but has left leadership--in the grand scheme--for leadership in the great scheme--motherhood. She is a woman alone, to a large degree, at a time when a woman would want and need friends and family surrounding her.

The best part of her world is her husband that she has left everything for. Now, he has betrayed her. She is truly lost. No wonder she is unable to find the words. No wonder her arguments are weak; she has to condemn herself for going as far as she already has (sneaking behind the Jedi Council).

Now I understand why she lost the will to live. She saw only darkness for her children if she remained their mother. She had been too weak to vanquish Darth Vader and save Anakin, how could she expect herself to lead the children she loved more than anything on the right path?

Was it a fale notion? Yes, I think so. I think there was forgiveness for Padme, compassion and understanding. I do not believe that Yoda or Obi-Wan would have turned her away. But she was consumed by the darkness: depression (losing her husband), fear (Darth Vader and his will for the children), and anger (at herself for letting it happen).

I do not mean she was consumed in the same way as Anakin, but she had fallen for the lie that it had overpowered her.