The opening pages of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dune see Paul Atreides learning that he may be the Kwisatz Haderach, and therefore destined for greatness. The reader learns alongside Paul just what that means, and why he is of such interest to his mother's spiritual order, the Bene Gesserit.

With its complex mythology and heavy use of jargon, Dune isn't exactly light reading. If you're hoping to untangle the threads of the Bene Gesserit's master plan for the galaxy, read on - we'll lay out the meaning of the Kwisatz Haderach as concisely as possible so you can get back enjoying the classic tale of sci-fi politics and religion.

This article contains spoilers for Dune and Dune Messiah.

What Is The Kwisatz Haderach?

In the universe of Dune, the Bene Gesserit have secretly carried out a millennia-long eugenics campaign hoping to bring about the next stage in human evolution. By arranging for marriages between specific families over the course of generations, they intend to create a superhuman whose descendants will rule over the rest of humanity. Despite taking thousands of years to achieve, the creation of the Kwisatz Haderach is only the first step in their plan.

The Bene Gesserit are known for mystical techniques of body control, meditation, and psychological manipulation that border on magic. The Sisterhood uses these techniques to subtly control events in the galaxy. Only women are capable of performing these esoteric abilities, but the Sisterhood hopes that by marrying highly-trained members of their order to men with favorable genetic traits, they can produce a male capable of learning their powers; the kwisatz haderach.

The Bene Gesserit's plan would then be to get the kwisatz haderach to produce children with another Bene Gesꦛserit, essentially creating a 🅰bloodline that is guaranteed to inherit their mystical powers. This bloodline would then be positioned as ruler of the galaxy, guiding the "lesser" members of humanity with their powers.

What Are The Kwizatz Haderach's Powers?

Upon reaching the highest levels of their training, the Bene Gesserit undergo a ritual where they ingest a concentrated dose of spice melange, unlocking their gen𓂃etic memory. They gain access to the memories and experiences of all their female ancestors, providing them with unmatched wisdom and knowledge.

"M♏any men have tried the drug... so many, but none h𒀰as succeeded."

"They tried and failed, all of them?"

"Oh, no.&qu꧑ot; She shook her head. "They tried and died.&q♈uot;

-Gaius Helen Mohiam and Paul Atreides, Dune

The Bene Gesserit theorize that a male who underwent the ritual could access the genetic memories of his male descendants. This theoretical male would become the Kwisatz Haderach, but only female aspirants have ever survived the ritual - the amount of spice required is lethal without Bene Gesserit training, and no male has ever ac♓hieved sꦏufficient mastery of their techniques.

A child of the Kwisatz Haderach andಌ a Bene Gesserit could potentially access the memories of boไth their male and female line; even if this theory proved incorrect, a bloodline with access to both sides of genetic memory between its men and women would have the kind of insight that the Sisterhood wants to see rule the galaxy,.

Is Paul Atreides The Kwisatz Haderach?

Paul Atreides, the protagonist of the first two Dune novels, is the son of Duke Leto Atreides and an exceptionally skilled Bene Gesserit named Jessica. Around the time Paul turned fifteen, he was visited by the leader of the Bene Gesserit Order, Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam. Jessica had reported that Paul mastered basic Bene Gesserit techniques, so Mohiam came to confirm that Paul could indeed be the Kwisatz Haderach.

Partly due to a prior falling-out between Jessica and the Reverend Mother, Mohiam expressed doubt about Paul's potential but allowed his training to proceed, just in case he was her genetic holy grail. Galactic politics interfered with the plan, however; a surprise attack by House Atreides' nemesis, House Harkonnen, left the Duke dead while Jessica and Paul fled into the desert to avoid a similar fate.

During their escape, Paul's exposure to the spice since coming to Arrakis triggered an awakening. He was indeed the fabled Kwisatz Haderach, and combining his genetic memory with his budding Mentat powers, he devised a plan to exact vengeance on the Harkonnens and secure his family's power on the galactic stage.

The Kwisatz Haderach As Emperor

Paul and Jessica survived the massacre of House Atreides, and after several years living among the Fremen people of Arrakis, retook the planet from the Harkonnens. By leveraging his position as the sole controller of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:spice production in the galaxy, Paul forced the reigning emperor, Shaddam the Fourth, to allow Paul to marry Princess Irulan and then abdicate, placing Paul on the throne.

By becoming Emperor - and therefore the ruler of the entire galaxy - Paul had given the Bene Gesserit a second chance at achieving their goal. Princess Irulan, now the Empress Consort, was herself a member of the order, so a child between Paul and Irulan would produce the bloodline that the Sisterhood sought. However, Paul refused to consummate his marriage to Irulan, as it was purely political in nature and he wouldn't betray his true love, a Fremen named Chani.

Since Chani was not a Bene Gesserit,๊ the Sisterhood did not believe that a child between her and the Kwisatz Haderach would produce the bloodline they sought.

On orders from the Reverend Mother, Irulan arranged for contraceptives to be added to Chani's food every day, preventing the couple from conceiving. The Empe💝ror would need an heir eventually, and they figured t𒐪hat eventually he would give in and have a child with Irulan.

After more than a decade, Paul and Chani discovered the conspiracy and ordered the Reverend Mother brought to Arrakis to face charges of treason. Having fallen short of her goal so close to success, the Reverend Mother even considered manipulating Paul's own sister into seducing him to produce the desired bloodline. That plan was never put into motion, and while Irulan and Mohiam were spared the Sisterhood's clout was damaged for years.

The Disappearance Of The Kwisatz Haderach

With her food now free of contraceptives, Chani soon became pregnant with twins. However, the damage to her reproductive system done by the drugs meant that her pregnancy was difficult, and she was unlikely to survive childbirth. Chani went to her ancestral home, Sietch Tabr, to give birth in the traditional Fremen fashion; in the meantime, Paul was permanently blinded in an a♉tomic attack by his enemies in an✅ attemtped coup.

After his injury, Paul went to the sietch, where he was informed the the children, Leto and Ghanima, had survived, but Chani had not. Paul used his Bene Gesserit powers as the Kwisatz Haderach to kill an assassin that had been sent to eliminate the babies, then with his line secure began arra🃏nging his abdication of tꦬhe throne.

Leaving his sister Alia to run the Imperium as Regent until his son came of age, Paul chose to end his life according to Fremen tradition; a Fremen who lost their sight was to be left in the desert to die. Paul Atreides, the kwisatz haderach and Emperor of the Known Universe, walked into 🌌the deserts of Arrakis.