Maybe not the worst, but he’s pretty close. We don’t get much of him in ESB so I can’t say he’s a good or bad villain. But in ROTJ he seems incredibly idiotic. Luke is about to kill Vader, but the Emperor interrupts him and essentially says, “Yes, kill your father so you can take his place at my side and be an evil, miserable POS for the rest of your life.”
Pompous =/= idiotic
He taunts Luke saying that all his friends are gonna die, the rebel alliance will be destroyed. Luke is starting to feel anger and fear. Then the Emperor, instead of playing up the threat Luke’s friends face, he then says, “Yes, strike down, so you’re turn to the dark side will be complete.”
Obviously, the Emperor does not want to die. It’s pretty obvious that Luke should do the exact OPPOSITE of whatever the Emperor is saying.
Given that Vader was there he said that knowing if Luke struck out in anger Vader would be there to protect him…which is exactly what happened. He only said those things so that Luke can cross the line of striking down an unarmed person out of spite.
A Jedi uses The Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack. - Yoda
and I’m pretty sure that quote extends to using a lightsaber as well.
I kind of wish he had more depth to him. Villains with vague motivations and unrevealed origins are fine, but at least make them visually interesting. Palpatine is just an old man in a black robe.
He didn’t have to be anything more than the ultimate form of evil. Also he didn’t need to be a testicle monster with laser beams shooting out of his eyes
Why does he want to dominate the galaxy?
For the same reasons anyone has wanted to dominate the galaxy…to shape the way the Galaxy operates as you see fit, to dominate the destinies of all those within your grasp. To acquire a near infinite repository of knowledge, wealth and anything else you desire.