Constitutions become the ultimate tyranny. They’re organized power on such a scale as to be overwhelming. The constitution is social power mobilized and it has no conscience. It can crush the highest and the lowest, removing all dignity and individuality. It has an unstable balance point and no limitations.
„
~ Paul rejecting any Constitution to limit his power.
“
There is no one in this room who can stand against me! Your mothers warned you about my coming! Fear the moment. But you think you could have a chance. But you are afraid, what if I could be the One? This could be the moment you've been praying for, all your life...
„
~ Paul's speech to the Fremen.
Paul Atreides, also known as Muad'Dib, is the villainous main protagonist of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel, Dune, and its movie adaptation. After the Atreides were betrayed and lured into a trap by the Harkonnens and the Corrinos, Paul allied with Fremen to seek vengeance.
Though initially, Paul was sincere and genuine in becoming a Fremen, earning the respect and trust of his comrades. He would soon embrace and abuse his given status as the Lisan al Gaib by using the blind faith and fanaticism of many of his followers to aid him in his path for vengeance.
As a result, Paul's former mentor and close friend Stilgar would devolve from a noble Naib to a pathetic, crazed, bumbling fanatic of his.
Started a war to destroy House Harkonnen and overthrow Emperor Shaddam IV for vengeance against his father Leto's death and House Atreides' fall in general.
Despite spice production being important for the universe, he was willing to endanger it if it meant the Emperor wouldn't be able to consolidate power. Paul didn't care about the chaos that would occur across the Universe if it meant he got his vengeance.
After overthrowing the Emperor Shaddam IV, he declared war on the other Great Houses due to their not accepting his rule which is the catalyst for him starting the Holy War.
Despite learning that it may cause massive casualties, Paul escalated the conflict to a full-blown war, resulting in the deaths of over 61 billion people, the sterilization of over ninety planets, the complete demoralization of over five hundred others, and the annihilation of over forty religions.
He became a more tyrannical ruler than Shaddam IV and even Baron Harkonnen but to a less evil extent than the Baron, rejecting any constitution that limited his power.
Often verbally abused and belittled his wife Irulan, while also cruelly comparing her to Chani which resulted in her attempting to poison a pregnant Chani out of spite.
To make matters worst, he told Irulan that she could take a lover, but threatened to kill her if she had a baby.
As the Preacher, his teachings in Arrakeen would brainwash his cult-like followers into nihilism despite his warnings holding merit and was prophesized for many years to come.
Despite knowing that the Golden Path was the only future that would ensure the survival of humanity, Paul refused to fulfill it because he was unwilling to pay the ultimate price and left the task to his son Leto II, who would endure 3,500 years of agony in his father's place.
What Makes Him Inconsistent?[]
He is tragic for many reasons.
His father, Leto Atreides had to sacrifice himself to save the rest of his family.
His House was betrayed and he and his mother had to roam as vagrants in the harsh desert world of Arrakis, barely surviving their ordeal.
Was horrified after seeing his culpability in the global war and initially was reluctant to start it.
He was genuinely in love with Chani and was devastated when she died at childbirth alongside their infant child Leto I.
Despite often mistreating and verbally abusing Irulan, he did in fact care for her to a certain extent.
He felt remorse for his crimes and was saddened by the manic and bumbling state of Stilgar who was blinded by fanaticism.
He honored the Fremen by walking into the desert to die, as was the custom for the blind.
As an attempt of atonement for his past crimes, he became an unnamed, blind preacher who often warned humanity of their inevitable demise as a result of power, though his teachings would gain a nihilistic cult-following in Arrakeen.
His death is played for sympathy, as he was assassinated by Fremen spies before he could get a chance to reason with his sister Alia. This happened shortly after he bonded with his estranged son at the time Leto II as well as refilling every sietch with water.
Trivia[]
It is currently unknown if his 2021/24 movie counterpart will also be Inconsistently Heinous.
His 1984 movie counterpart is not considered Inconsistently Heinous due to being portrayed as a heroic messiah which is against the source material.
