A Dummy's Character Guide to the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Universe

Or, a helping hand for those of you who need a brush-up on what you need to know to thoroughly understand and enjoy Revenge of the Sith. I've only included the characters important to Sith's plot (with one exception, due to an event that was necessary to mention). Hope this guide ensures that The Force will be with you as you watch the conclusion to this epic story sometime (hopefully) soon.

Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd and Hayden Christensen) - Grew up with his mother as a slave on the desert planet of Tatooine. Freed at the age of 9 by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn because Qui-Gon believes Anakin is the one who is destined to bring balance between the light and dark sides of The Force. Anakin becomes very strong with the ways of The Force, but his impatience is frowned upon by the Jedi Council. Becomes Padme Amidala's protector once a plot to assassinate her is discovered. Great supporter of Chancellor Palpatine. Suffers immeasurable psychological distress when his mother is murdered. He secretly marries Padme even though Jedi code forbids it.

Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) - Headstrong yet immensely perceptive Jedi Master. Trains Obi-Wan Kenobi. Discovers Anakin Skywalker while on a mission to rescue Queen Padme Amidala from her home planet of Naboo, which has been illegally occupied by the Trade Federation. Intends to train Anakin in the ways of The Force but is slain by Darth Maul.

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) - Powerful Jedi Knight who becomes close with Anakin Skywalker and trains him after Qui-Gon's untimely death. Discovers that a Clone Army is being built for the Republic via orders from the Jedi, although the Jedi are unaware of any such order. Uncovers a plot by rogue Jedi Count Dooku to overthrow the Republic.

Darth Sidious (?) - Evil Sith Lord that is strong with the dark side of The Force. Sidious, with apprentice Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus) at his side, is the hidden mastermind behind the plot to overthrow the Republic. He secretly forges a plan with the Trade Federation to illegally occupy Naboo. Once this plan is thwarted, he sways, via Count Dooku, many races to leave the Republic and form a Separatist movement.

Darth Maul (Ray Park) - Former apprentice of Darth Sidious. Slays Qui-Gon Jinn, but is subsequently killed by Obi-Wan.

Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) - Former Jedi Master and trainer of Qui-Gon Jinn. Dooku turns to the Dark Side and becomes Darth Sidious's apprentice (as Darth Tyranus) after Darth Maul is killed. Almost murders Obi-Wan and Anakin (whose hand becomes severed) during the early battles of the Clone Wars, but is forced to flee when confronted by Jedi Master Yoda.

Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) - Former elected Queen of the peaceful planet Naboo. A champion of democracy, she later becomes a Senator of the Republic and urges them to use peaceful means to settle the conflict of the Separatist movement. Secretly marries Anakin Skywalker.

Chancellor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) - Formerly a Senator from Naboo, is elected Chancellor during Naboo's occupation by the Trade Federation. Later, once the Separatists' power grows, is granted emergency powers and uses the Clone Army that Obi-Wan discovers in an attempt to crush the uprising. Takes to Anakin and encourages his abilities.

Jedi Masters Yoda (Frank Oz) and Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) - Wisest and most powerful (respectively) of all the Jedi Masters. They perceive great danger surrounding Anakin and forbid Qui-Gon to train him, but relent and allow Obi-Wan to do so after Qui-Gon's death. They discover that the Jedi's powers to perceive threats are rapidly diminishing due to Sidious's rising power, but choose not to let the Republic know this fact.