A simple choice
Isn't it funny how fate and life takes you in circles. We all cry and feel torn at the deaths of the Jedi and for some of us males the loss of a gorgeous woman tsk tsk what a waste. And we of course then blame poor lil Annie Skywalker. Mean, hotheaded, arrogant, power hungry, rude, obnoxious, pretentious little prat Skywalker. Then again, most teenage males are exactly the same once they get a little puffed up.
Now everything Anakin did was for Padme. what were his words to Sidious "Just help me save Padme - I can't live without her" That was his whole reason for going over to the Sith. NOT POWER. That came later after he had already made the choice.
It is that choice, that exact same choice by the same person choosing the same path for the same reason that was responsible for the destruction of both the Republic and the Empire. The exact same choice not only caused the downfall of good but also was the cause for its return, two wholly opposing consequences springing from the same person making that same choice - what would you do to save the one you love?
The second time was in watching his son die. For 20 years he has lived in perpetual self hatred and loathing and agony for the death of his heart and love. Yet before him lies the fruit of that love. Padme's last gift to him, the son borne of their love. So again Anakin makes that same fateful choice. TO SAVE THE ONE HE LOVES. Luke is the son of his heart his padme, and in saving Luke, he saves her. THe same choice yet so startingly different outcomes.
It says in the Novelization that the brightest light casts the darkest shadow and that even stars burn out but the last line alone said it all
LOVE CAN IGNITE THE STARS. For it was love that killed the republic and it was that same love that killed the empire.