Why Paul is Not the Hero of Dune 

Every time someone says Dune is a Star Wars ripoff, a braincell dies.

“All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible.” -Frank Herbert

He is not the messiah, he is a very naughty boy.

Paul was a victim, as much as father, as much as his son. The villain of Dune was the Bene Gesserit order and it's idea of "perfecting" humanity under their own rule/guidance. The Bene Gesserit manipulated mankind on scales large and small in order to create their perfect being that would be under their control, instead of letting humanity grow and evolve on its own. This is what set humanity onto the Golden Path, as that was the only way out of its doom through stagnation. Paul was a human manipulated into a corner where his only choices were death or Jihad, and yet by the time he faces this choice, he also realized that even his death would lead to Jihad, so he accepted that path in an effort to avert what he saw. Unfortunately when he accepted that path he also came to realize that Jihad was just the first step on the Golden Path, and that the new gift of prescience he had received had shown him that he had no choices left, that he was locked into a future he did not want and could not change and he was not strong enough to bear the burden of becoming godking tyrant. Leto II was a preborn and was so already awakened into the long view of humanity from beginning, rather than trying to adopt such a mindset as an adult as was done by his father and by all the Bene Gesserit before him. They all had simple minds and short term goals, as befits their relatively simple and short term lives, and tried to use their abilities and histories of conciousness as a tool in which to shape their ultimately short term goals, which is why their path led to stagnation because they accepted prescience and took the safe paths to their goal, which only leads to oblivion. For Leto II, his was only the longview, and so he was able to accept the burden for the ultimate goal, because his time ahead of him was no greater than the time behind him. It wasn't just that he had access to the memories of past lives. Those WERE his memories. He was Methuselah born. This also allowed him to give his sister the greateat gift he could give, by helping her lock away memory of him and allow her to mature as a human, with the threat of possession ended with that mental trick of forgetting and of the memory of their mother as a bulwark, protecting her daughter from the rest of maelstrom of last lives. Ghani grew up as a human woman, lived as a human woman, and died as a human woman. For this, Leto II accepted his burden. This is something Paul did NOT have. Paul was a single person, while Leto II and Ghanima saw the other as part of themselves. To bring it back to Book 1, Leto II is the paw chewed off and left behind, that the wolf, his sister, his other, may escape. The idea of the test being that an animal tries to escape the threat while the human lies in wait to eliminate the threat to the species is mistaken. The "animal" escapes into the freedom of endless possibilities, as we the result of the Golden Path, while the "human" stayed in the trap to accomplish their goal, locking them into that path forever, as was the danger of prescience. The Jihad, the ascendancy of GodKing Leto II the Tyrant, were to drive out of humanity the temptation of control. By breeding into humanity the gene to hide them from prescience, he prevented potential "guidance" from any other entity in the future, and through his crushing control he instilled in humanity a desire to never accede to control again. Through these two actions did he finally set humanity free, and based on the uniqueness of his birth, he was the ONLY one capable of doing so.

It seems that the movie will be quite accurate, Timothée Chalamet said that “The immediately appealing thing about Paul was the fact that in a story of such detail and scale and world-building, the protagonist is on an ANTI-HERO’S-JOURNEY of sorts,”

*"We don't need another hero."* Reverand Mother Tina Turner (8015 BG)

Paul is human, and young. I wasn't terribly smart or made great decisions at 15. How many of us did? Besides, Herbert wrote the series to show that even the most heroic of leaders should come with warning labels. To make Paul untouchably heroic and virtuous would detract from his richness as a character.

With respect, Paul knew he needed to be THE ULTIMATE VILLAIN to save humanity from itself. He could not be. His son followed through with being the villain humanity needed where his father, Paul, could not.

Paul is an anti-hero. Or even better he’s a living definition of “you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” He’s a protagonist because we sympathize with him over what happened to him and his family. But in the end he just takes the wrong turn and he tries to go back or at least set a better course.

Paul allowed the visions to overwhelm him and stunt his growth as a person. His own indecision is his downfall. He could not fully live in the here now and appreciate his own life. Chani was giving birth and he knew she was going to die but couldn’t even be there for her in her last moments cause he already experienced it due to prescience. He was sleepwalking in his own life, he couldn’t even be bothered to raise his own kids, surely he foresaw Alia as the worst possible person to raise them. So I would say he was probably his own villain more than anyone else’s.

Interestingly, Herbert *did* sort of label Paul as a "hero", while at the same time clearly indicating that he was not to be the hero of the story. When Liet Kynes is dying out on the desert...he holds a "discussion" with his long dead father. The one shocking idea that is trotted out is that the worst disaster that could happen to the Fremen would be for them to wind up "...in the hands of a hero..." In his last moments before the spice blow, Kynes realizes that he has arranged for the Fremen to give sanctuary to Paul...and begins to see where this may well lead. . While not the hero of the book...the Fremen would quickly come to see Paul as one in the sense that Kynes feared. Paul survives his many combat encounters in the company of the Fremen not simply because of his training...but because he ultimately has the greatest bodyguards in the known universe. But their loyalty is not simply because of the "Legend..." Paul mentions that he and Stilgar have saved each other's lives a number of times... Paul will have saved other Fremen as well and this will have reinforced the bond. As time passes, it becomes harder for him to risk his life because his bodyguards are fanatically proactive in their mission to protect him. . Being a genuine "hero" to the tribes only makes Paul more dangerous if the path that he lays out is not in the interest of the Fremen. Risking his life is a good investment. The Atreides have a reputation for sincerely putting it on the line for others...as risking the Duke and his heir to rescue the spice miners showed... This totally turned around Liet Kynes' attitude...and was doubtless related in many quarters. The fact that this was not done cynically...but sincerely...out of a sense of genuine decency...doesn't change the fact that it just greases the path of the Fremen to the destruction of their culture. . The Baron Harkonnen may have been brilliant, but he was wrong about Feyd being able to replace his brother and thereby gain the loyalty of the Fremen. In some ways he was like Paul... Very intelligent, highly trained, hell on wheels in combat... but unlike Paul, who masters his fear...Feyd is nearly fearless. The people in the cities might buy into him, but never the Fremen. Sincerely risking his life to save Fremen not in his nature...and even if he held his violent nature in check, his arrogance would assure that he would never get to first base with the tribesmen in the desert and would never survive if he wound up among them there. Yankee Papa

I am 64 now. I read Dune for the first time when I was 14. Several times since. I have even read the stuff his Boy wrote after the Elder passed. The series has been something that I have thought about a lot over the years. Your critique was accurate and insightful. Well said, thank you for sharing. Sir.

i think the key take away is that there is no hero in the world of Dune, everybody has their own motivation that are self serving. The Fremen takes advantage of Paul as much as he does of them.

Paul had power and charisma, but he only knew that no one close to him was giving him advice that would lead to a better world. The sisters would make humans into slaves for tyrants until they died out. The Fremen would lead to a Jihad to kill all humanity, or the Golden Path, thousands of years of torture. The status quo leading back to computer subjugated universe. All options lead to misery, and ultimately Paul fails to choose any of them, thinking to deny all factions their goals. Paul is not a failure, but rather a tragic hero character. Never to know peace, and ultimately to be thrown down by the masses who worship him for not making a choice. This is why Leto II seems like such a great champion. He inspires the Jihad. He inspires the new faith, the fish speakers. He converts Arrakis into a lush world as a way to prove his power and control access to spice. So he does still follow a Hero arc, just not the one of a Champion. In many ways, you could call Dune the Hamlet of space, only Hamlet lives in the end and becomes an incompetent king :)

I just found your videos after watching the Villenueve movie, and really enjoy them. I also love the underlying theme of Dune: don't blindly follow leaders. This fits right in with one of own rules: never idolize another person, they're just another human at the end of the day.

And that’s what makes the story compelling. I recall reading the books as a young man and feeling discomfort as the story evolved. Brilliant.Thanks!

Leto was never an "individual", he always had the memories of his ancestors awakened in him. This perhaps made it easier for him to choose the Golden Path. Paul, who had lived a significant apart of his developmental years as an "individual", having only to content with his own thoughts, just wasn't capable of doing what Leto did.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU RECEIVED AN AUDIOBOOK CONTRACT YET? Honestly, you can hear the passion you have for the series when you read it. I'd rather listen to you read this series over any other narration I've heard.

the entire second book is dedicated to destroying the myth of the hero set up in the 1st book.... how is that not clear?

I always felt like love was the core of the story. Paul was born from Jessica's love for Leto, in turn, making the future Bene Gesserit just about fear it. After Chani's death he looses his vision and goes to the desert. One of my FAVORITE scenes is when Leto II and Ghanima let Paul and Chani talk to each other. Leto II's love for Hwi was what allowed Sionna's rebellion to succeed. I could just be seeing things but, to me, the power of love seemed extremely important. I feel like it was easier for Leto II to take on the mantle of the Golden Path because he wasn't bound by a love like Paul was and it was a love like that that ended his rule. That's just my opinion.

*Insert michael slapping the table and yelling thank you gif*

“Absolute power does not corrupt absolutely, absolute power attracts the corruptible.” Frank Herbert Paul, Alia and Leto II begin as as heroic character types but for a variety of reasons commit great evils in their assent to and assumption of power. This seems to be one of the many reoccurring themes of Herbert's works.

I’m gonna go reread these books, because I remember sympathizing with Paul and detesting Leto II. Paul, at the end of it all, retained his humanity, literally and figuratively. Leto loses his under the guise of knowing what's best for humanity. I never bought that he made the right decision. The first three books were thematically focused on the dangers of absolute power and deification, and at the third book's conclusion that is precisely the mantle Leto assumes, believing his father simply didn't look far enough ahead, or couldn't make the sacrifices necessary. I don't believe that's the mode of thinking being encouraged here, amid all the prose regarding the shackles of prescience and the burdens of control. Again, I'm gonna have to reread the books, but after looking through the Children of Dune again, I'm not yet sure it's a coincidence that Leto comes off as an arrogant know-it-all. His path is indeed a sacrifice, but it seems the books frequently ask the reader to carefully examine what has been lost for what has been gained - as embodied by the terraforming of Arrakis and the death of the sietch, or the resurrection of House Atreides at the price of war. My feeling was that the Bene Gesserit were the true "villains" of the Dune universe (if any such claim could even be made), and that while Leto beat them at their game, Paul was the one who kicked over the board and refused to play.

Bro, your videos are so enlightening and well made. I love the Dune lore after the new movie came out, and am trying to learn more. Your videos help with that immensely. Thank you!

In my opinion, Paul was not a hero but a victim. And not a victim of the Bene Gesserit, but of the humanity that allowed the creation of thinking machines. Without thinking machines taking over humanity; there would not have been the Butlerian Jihad, and all of the problems that came from it.

Think of Paul as Dune’s Vito Corleone

I've always found another interpretation of Paul. He is a hero, a failed human hero but a hero nonetheless. His... predicament, so to speak, is that he's the product of passion and love and not the product of careful breeding, logic, and centuries in the planning. He actually is the proof that tyranny is dangerous, not by his actions, but also by the actions of those that intended to have his persona at their appointed time, to serve their purposes. Namely the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood. Granted, the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood has its motives explained later in the saga. And it's also "easier" for Leto II and Ghanima to work or build over their father's work and his failures. Paul is also the embodiment of hubris, again not by his actions, but by what he represents for the powers of the Imperium. If Paul came at the designated time, he would be the Missionaria Protectiva's embodiment. And then he would be worshipped as a manufactured God.

Only just discovered your channel, but you provide very intelligent and insightful analysis, and (and, as an audiobook narrator, I don't say this lightly), you have an excellent narrative voice for the passages you read from the books! Thank you!

Paul ends up being a victim of the massive forces at work. He was a catalyst for those forces but he could never truly control them. Much like how a person can cause an avalanche but they have no control over its destructive power. Paul starts the jihad and builds a massive empire but it didn't take long for things to roll out of control and for various factions to do things in the name of their messiah. Dune deals a lot with the paradoxical nature of power. The more power someone has, the more they are trapped by their own power. That concept is also mirrored in how the series deal with the concept of prescience. The more prescient someone is, the less they are able to actually change the future. Because when they predict the future, they're also predicting their own effect on the future. So they essentially know what choices they have to make before they make it.

He is hero of first book. Whole sagas hero is duncan idaho .....

Your dissections of the Dune saga are some of the best content i've been fortunate to find on RU-vid. Whenever i get done reading a Dune novel, my next move is to pull up your channel and listen to your analysis to gain a better appreciation of this work of literature. I have a better appreciation of this saga and the incredible accomplishment it represents thanks to videos like these. Thank you for your work

Right on. Great analysis. I’ve read the series many times and you still came up with some connections I hadn’t considered, or weighted heavily enough. Thanks and up the good work!

A very well-put, delivered argument. I agree with you: Paul is definitely not the hero of Dune. His choices brought about the deaths of untold billions. If there is a hero in the story, it's probably Leto II. He chose to become a tyrant, knowing he would be an abomination (by being taken over by the memory-personality of an ancient Egyptian king/despot). He knew he would be hated by history; he knew that and his Golden Path had to be hated in order to force people to go in to the Scattering. But he made his decision in order to save humanity from extinction by machines. In my younger years I thought the Bene Gesserit were heroic: but they seem as authoritarian and totalitarian as the God Emperor. It's just that their methods are more subtle, and you don't have to kill those that you don't allow to be born in the first place... In all, the Dune series is not a story about heroes. Or the common man. It's really about ideas, not people.

Having read all the Dune books 3 times I have to say, you nailed it. Leto II is the hero. Paul seemed like the hero, but then falls short. Frank Herbert couldn't have made it more clear than in the scene of Leto II's birth. Paul is instantly blind (loses his prescience) when Leto II is born because at that moment it's all Leto II's world (universe).

This is why Dune is so much deeper than any other story I’ve seen. He gives us perspectives when we dive into all of the issues we face in society. No idols worthy of worship…

I just discovered your channel. You do an amazing job and have a great voice. I can’t wait to go through all of your videos after I read the saga. I picked up book 1 today. I’ve read sci-fi for 35 years and somehow skipped over the dune saga. You sold me dude. Keep up the great videos.

Paul is not the hero. He wanted to be, but in the end the best he could achieve was to not become.......The Tyrant.

I am subbed to hundreds of channels. I have notifications on for yours. I love all your videos! Seriously, possibly my favorite channel, man. Great stuff.

i got into dune through the south park episode, googled the premise and became obsessed. I read the first novel in prepartion for a 2020 release of the movie. I know its been pushed, but I love this channel. To me dune is not only one of the best stories told, but a great test of mental aptitude

I was wondering. I haven’t read the book, but watched the movie recently. I grew attached to the Atreides’ characters until right before Duncan died. Paul was talking the doctor about his situation and he mentions he would bargain w/ a political marriage . When the dr pointed out surprised that Paul didn’t have full grasp of his family’s position against the throne, he immediately started talking about how the Fremen’s believe in him and that made me doubt his true intentions. Can’t wait for part 2!

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

This is such an accurate interpretation! Frank Herbert was very crafty when he created the characters - Paul so likable and Leto ll so creepy. I first read Dune as a teenager - the older i get - the more I understand & appreciate what a masterpiece it is.

Thank you for the videos you made! I do love your point of view on the Dune Lore and your detailed review on each vivid theme of this great Saga!

Quinn, I am busy trying to watch all your videos. I am glad to see you have a huge following. You work hard for it, and I love what you have to say. Really enjoying the Dune videos and had a lot of fun watching your Star Wars series reviews. Thanks for all you do!

Ironically at the end Paul was not willing to take the way of the Golden Path because he doesn’t want to lose his own humanity. Basically the ultimate sacrifice only Leto could take, fully understanding the cost of it. Paul started a revolution without fully understanding the price that course of events would bring, and when he finally understood it he left, so Leto, took his place almost like a burden, understanding the price, to end what his father started. So in a twisted way Leto, who is a very tragic figure indeed, was “the hero” of the story, not for his actions but because he understood the horror of his responsability.

I've decided to start the series from the beginning again, and now I'm thinking more about how much the Bene Geserit influenced Fremen culture to prepare for their plan to unfold, for generations before hand! On the first reading when I was new to Dune, it was easy to forget it because so much of it does seem like prophecy. Like, how DID Paul "just know" the proper way to wear a stillsuit? Was he like, programmed subtly to know the Fremen ways somehow? Or is it coincidence? Like the coincidence when Jessica told Shadout Mapes the knife was "a maker", making her appear to know the secret knowledge of origin of the spice, when she really was just about to say, "a maker of death". Even the Fremen calling Paul "Mahdi" soon after they arrive on Arrakis, doesn't that sound like Muad'Dib? Did the Bene Geserit somehow know about Muad'Dib and influence the Fremen language generations ago?! (I know Mahdi is actually Arabic anyway but idk) I have so many questions

First time watching your channel, and I love it. The music, narration, brevity, and _feel_ of this content is exactly what I wanted for understanding Dune. Subbed, liked, commented, and about to watch more.

Nice review and perspective. Been so long since I read the first book, now within realizing on in which I'm missing, rereading and acquiring the the next in the saga is a must.

The first few books are a classic example of being careful of what you ask for.

I have loved this series all my life. I read the books in my youth. I saw Dino de Laurentes’ version in the theatre and enjoyed the British miniseries. Each iteration of film has gotten progressively better and Denis’ version is no exception. Everyone familiar with these books has such reverence for them that no one wants to do them a disservice. I am really enjoying your dissection of the story’s array of themes. Thank you

Massive props for clarifying so much so succinctly

Dude, just found you and you’re my new favorite channel. Hope the new Dune film brings more attention to you cause you’re really awesome. Subscribed.

I read the first book in 7th grade. He's always a hero in my head. As an adult, I think he was one generation too early, and would have been less traumatized by his past lives and future vision, if he had been a Harkonen as the sisterhood intended. @Quinn I also absolutely agree with your conclusion at the end. I discovered your channel yesterday, seeking an additional Dune fix because the new movie was so dang good.

I never saw him as the hero or the villain. Paul is the catalyst of change for humanity. He rejected it, and tried to find another way, which is why his son takes his place. Sad really. Poor Chani.

These videos are amazing! Great job man. Dune has been my favorite Sci Fi series since i first read them thirty years ago.

oh man, this video is AMAZING but I have to pause it bc I'm riiight at the end of Dune Messiah, don't wanna get any spoilers! Will come back to your videos after I'm done with the series tho, loved your style, man! ♥️

Paul is not the hero of the whole saga but for people who have only read the first book people would likely think he is the hero.

Timothée was quoted saying he’s playing an anti hero, I think.

I've never read or watched Dune but your videos are really inspiring me to check them out!! Love your work.

I have never seen someone into dune as much as I do. You sir are an amazing person. I would love to sit down with you with a cup of coffee and talk with you. Thank you for being here

Funny thing about Paul. He spent his entire life trying to prevent the Great Jihad and the Golden Path, simply because of the TRILLLIONS of people who were going to die in his name. He mentioned this several times in the first 2 books. "Even if I die today, those worlds will still burn in the name of a Martyr." The lesson of Dune "beware charismatic leaders..."

I mean, it's fairly explicit in the text. By the end of book three he's been eclipsed by his son. And even by book two, Herbert starts tearing down Paul as a "hero", and starts recontextualizing him as a manipulator. You know, for those who might have missed that in book one.

I'm grateful of Quinn's Ideas overview of sci-fi books, alot of hard work, time & study shared with us to reap the benefits... thanks mate from across the pond :)

your channel rules man. got into it via suggestions on Hyperion which I just finished reading and loved and now you got me excited to start Dune once I'm done with the Hyperion Cantos!

"Don't blindly follow the leader" that is never more truthful than today

I think this is a good video and I consider most of the interpretations to be pretty spot on, but I also think some of the interpretations are a bit harshly presented. Paul is not a bad person, and part of the point of his musings in the second book is to establish that his awareness has grown to a point that it has almost crippled him. Every path seems horrible, he really doesn't know which one he should take. I think to try and simplify that down to him somehow knowing there's a correct one and refusing to take out of selfishness is a very simplistic view of how something like that would work. There's an element of truth to it, but in a way it's as simplistic as the idea that he's the classic white savior hero. Does he want to become an inhuman abomination and a tyrant for milennia, doing horrible, HORRIBLE things to humanity? No, but again, that certainly doesn't make him a bad person. If anything, his problem is, as Leto puts it, that he can't really judge between evils. He's arguably too good of a person to be willing to spend milennia murdering and oppressing. I'm not saying this makes him the hero. It doesn't. Part of the core of dune is the idea that there are no heroes in the classic sense, and if we wanted to push it onto the series, then it would be some mixture of Leto and Duncan, but to call Leto a hero is almost as hard as it is to call Paul a hero. Leto spends most of his existence as potentially the worst villain humanity has ever experienced. We're just told it's all for the greater good. Possibly true in the context of the story, but to say it makes him a hero seems a bit off.

Just came across your channel...i love you reading parts of the book!!! You should be hired by audible! I have never read Dune but want too..it seems so overwhelming so having you explain parts really helps. Awesome channel!

Thank you Quinn, I am so glad I found you on youtube. Your channel is wonderful.

One’s society’s hero can be another society’s villain.

Power doesn't corrupt, it merely reveals (like the internet), in the end lots of leaders are still good people, lots of leaders aren't. We just remember the bad ones more, because as human beings negatives stand out more

Love your thoughts on the Dune universe!! Great videos!! I've watched a few and really, really enjoy them, thank you so much! I have read the entire Dune series (not the ones written by his son, just the Frank Herbert original ones). The first two I thought I could understand but I very much struggled to fully comprehend much of the later books I think. I very much appreciate your perspectives. I even re-read the entire series but I think I still didn't fully understand the meaning(s) intended by Herbert (who I truly believe to have been genius). Thanks again :)

Love your Dune videos, man. They help me relax after a long day

The Way of Kings is behind you on the bookshelf! So I have to know, are you a fan of the series??

TL;DW He lived long enough to see himself become the villain.

Wow, incredible video. I’ve been enjoying your videos immensely, great work.

Thank you for sharing about the story! I have seen Dune 1 on yt and dune 2 in teather without reading the books and was confused about many things! I am now curious to read the books myself... 😄

Hmm I remember Paul arguing with Leto II at the end of book 3 and trying to convince him not to go down the golden path... so I saw it more as he just had a different view about what should happen rather than he couldn’t do what he knew needed to be done. Is my memory incorrect?

Paul's story arc is a warning against prophecy and messiahs.

Nicely done! I'm just starting Dune Messiah so it's nice to hear you pronouncing names as there often more than possibilities at pronuncuation.

omg! i saw you in a thumbnail for another of your videos and thought it was Mos Def. there is certainly a resemblance. been enjoying your videos for a couple of years now. keep on making them , sir.

Why can't Paul be both hero and antihero? He helped the entire human organism to reorganize itself, avoiding evolutionary stagnation. This involved horrendous violence and indeed the creation of "the ultimate predator", Leto II.

I read Dune when.I was very young and (probably bolstered by the David Lynch movie) I tool him to be the hero. When I was a bit older and reread Dune before reading the rest of the series I finally got it. It's masterfully done and and a oiece of subtle genius.

I found your channel last week. And find your insights spot On.

Great video! This is one of my favorite channels on youtube!

Knowing Leto II suffers for thousands of years makes me sad. :’(

I appreciate your analysis and I agree with it. Paul is a more tragic than epic character, that is, heroic at times and also flawed, like Oedipus or Hamlet, trying to cope with the inevitable. And in all the novels devoted to him he is truly obsessed by a destiny, an unavoidable future that is imposed on him and scares him. History seems to be already written and he feels trapped. Since he is an emperor, he fits totally with the classic type of hero of tragedy.

I'm so glad you're around to articulate this so very important fact about Dune. It's what unfortunately most ppl don't understand about Dune (and Lynch's scandalous adaptation didn't help the case either) - Paul, Leto II, Sheena, most iterations of Duncan, Miles Teg; none of these characters are heroes. None of them are "good". None of the Great Houses, factions, organizations are, and Herbert relayed this important fact so clearly, elegantly and meditatively at the same time, that it's both baffling and saddening that people don't get it.

A fantastic summary! This was well conceived and thought out. Thank you.

You have a great voice. Would love to hear you do audio books.

Paul's body count make the likes of Hitler and Stalin look like amateurs.

I love the new context you bring to the series ive read all of dune throughout the series but yeah paul was quite terrified of the future he was bringing rising as a messiah because of his "power" he was able to see potential outcomes in the future that would be quite dark.

We're all victims of the Missionaria. We're primed to accept that hero's tale, even when we're getting giant warnings in the first Dune book that charismatic leaders are a great danger.

I always wondered how much of Paul's determination to do (or to fail to do) the right thing is down to genetics as well. Leto could do what Paul could not because he also had Chani's determination. I think you can see (in all the characters, not just in Paul) how far Herbert took the idea that we are determined by our genetic material. In many ways, Paul is a sum of Jessica and Leto I, Jessica is the daughter of baron Harkonnen, etc. The genetics dictates not only the physical attributes of these people, they also have psychological predispositions similar to their genetic ancestors. That is the majesty of Herbert's writing, in my opinion. Also, morally, I don't see Paul as being the only one responsible for avoiding the battle at the end time - he did not ask for the power he had, and in a way, he is one of the most affected victims of what the schemes of the ones before him brought about... and I think it is clear in the books he does not want the position he has. Leto II's choice is morally commendable, he is a hero - form an utilitarian standpoint, at least - but i don't think Paul should 100% be blamed or considered morally bankrupt because he could not bring himself to do what Leto II did. Also, if you take the genetic angle, Paul could not choose otherwise because he did not have the psychological predisposition to do so, therefore to hold him morally accountable for a choice that was not available to him would be wrong, I think. In a way, by choosing to marry Chani, he gave Leto II the psychological tools to choose the path he could not choose himself. And I don't mean he necessarily did this consciously, but I do believe one way to understand love is to say that we are attracted and we admire in a significant other the traits we wish we had ourselves (that is at least one way in which people say their loved ones complete them). Also, this goes in line with the instinct of the species to survive and become better, which is one of the themes of the book. Also, I'm not defending Paul or trying to say that he was the architect of the golden path even if he did not know it, I don't think this story is only about the moral responsibility of leaders. I think that the main point of the story is precisely about how the moral responsibility of leaders is exaggerated, about how they are actually, at least in some cases, the least responsible, and the ones who should take the blame are precisely the people who project their expectations, their plans and their fantasies on to their leaders (be it intentionally, like the Bene Gesserit, or unintentionally, like the Fremen). Mua'dib is not his own creation, he's the creation of others. Not even a remarkable man like Paul could overcome the harm done by the collective intentions and the collective lack of responsibility of the crowd and the schemers, who projected their own expectations and their own salvation in the hands of someone else. It took a GOD to bring things back to normal, and even so, the cost in human life was absurd. And, as far as Paul's choice to not become a god is concerned, I can see something commendable in that. Or, at least, it could be defended morally, I don't think it is an easy matter of "he was too weak to make the obvious right choice".

One of the best channels on YT, thanks for great work.

This is an AWESOME video, man! Good job reading (putting a little emotion into it). Still reading Paul of Dune...since I already read Messiah...there are some spoilers in here but I was able to eject those memories, np. There's still hope that we, the people, get access to this movie soon...IF Wonder Woman & Tenet sell well online...which they WILL because everyone is friggin'DESPERATE for some new (and high quality) shit to watch. (Thank you, Mandalorian!!!!)

This man speaks heresy about Moad'Dib.

This is somewhat misrepresentitive of Paul's character. His morals were the main reason he didn't go trough with the golden path. He detested the thought of doing all those atrocities to human kind and because of that he did not allow himself (unconsciously) tosee the full vision. He didn't see that the alternative would lead to the death of the human race. So he did not weight his own well being against human kind, he just chose what he thought was the right thing to do, the moral thing. He acknowledged he did evil but never was it his intention.

Thank you Quinn for your Dune content!! I'm halfway through the first book!

Excellent commentary and I haven't even read the book. I am preparing to read the Dune books (original series) and I appreciate the additional information before diving in. I have seen David Lynch's film from the early 80s which I thought was unlike anything I had seen in sci-fi to that date. I thought the ideas were very unique and the scope of the story seemed much larger than just the one film. I'm glad there's more to experience. And, I agree with the overarching theme you mentioned. Beware of people with the characteristics discussed because in the end, humans will tend to be human.

So he lives long enough to become the villain