How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
Quote #4
PALPATINE: Remember back to your early teachings, Anakin: "All those who gain power are afraid to lose it." Even Jedi.
This is one of the main recurring motifs throughout Revenge. It's especially true for those who embrace the dark side—like Palpatine and Anakin—but it's also less obviously true for people like Mace Windu and Yoda. They fear losing their power, but it's more because they're afraid of what other power will take its place, and they consider themselves the Republic's benevolent guardians.
Quote #5
PALPATINE: [Darth Plagueis] became so powerful … the only thing he was afraid of was losing his power, which eventually, of course, he did. Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. (smiles) Plagueis never saw it coming. It's ironic he could save others from death but not himself.
We're pretty sure that George Lucas is hinting at the fact that Palpatine, aka Darth Sidious, was the apprentice who killed his own master. What a convenient story to tell the man who so desperately fears the loss of his wife.
Quote #6
[INTERCUT]
PALPATINE: (voice-over) You do know, don't you, if the Jedi destroy me, any chance of saving her will be lost.
PADMÉ: I truly, deeply love you. Before I die, I want you to know.
C-3PO: My lady, are you … are you all right?
ANAKIN: I can't do this … I can't let her die.
Whether this is Anakin torturing himself with his prophetic dreams or Palpatine somehow manipulating what he sees, it's pretty effective motivation to make the young Skywalker take action. He can only handle watching Padmé's death so many times before he finally cracks.