Symbols and poetic rhymes in the Star Wars sequel trilogy

Abstract

The Star Wars franchise is recognized as a representative part of popular culture, especially because of its suggestive reflection on themes such as heroism, destiny, friendship and religion supported by a collection of mythical images that have become references of fantastic cinematography, and mass culture. Image studies on the series have frequently focused on the configuration of these images, leaving aside the interpretation of the intricate weaving of symbols and the narrative power derived from them. Therefore, the semiotic research presented in this article is justified, from the point that, in a current culture of intellectual properties in the world of entertainment, the use of symbols is as important as art design, when it comes to telling a story. Under this pretext, an interpretive exercise was carried out. In methodological terms, it started from the union of research-creation concepts and recreation. Then, it moved on to a semiological analysis, making an inventory of some symbols present in Star Wars, and proposing a meaning for the episodes of the saga from there. In the conclusions of this exercise, this analysis glimpses at a trilogy in which a revisionist desire, Byronic romanticism, and religious duality are accentuated, in a hero’s cycle. One finding is that the narrative and the game share similar symbolic categories, implementable to artistic interpretation.