There was definitely a lot he felt like he had to live up to - the Chosen One thing, the fearless hero thing. I think his early performance in the war built up expectations, both his own and others' - and as things progress and the war starts to really affect him and he just can't anymore, he pushes himself harder because he doesn't want to let anyone down.

:D Well, I will do that, then. I've come to really enjoy writing about Anakin from other characters' POVs - it's kind of interesting.