Let´s talk about Dune...

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by brownjenkins
for those who have read it... do you think herbert thought of paul a true messiah (i.e. there is something supernatural behind his accomplishments)... or was it all the manipulations that made him one?

I think it was both.[/forest gump voice] If you read the whole series, it kinda becomes clear that whilst the Bene Gesserit deliberately bred Paul (a generation early!) to be a messiah, and contrived within local cultures for that elevation, it comes about that Paul transforms from what was only ever meant to be a BG puppet to something that is truly beyond human machinations.

The juxtaposition of Paul and Leto II is interesting. It may be that Herbert viewed Paul as a messiah beyond the political maneuverings, but Leto II was infinitely a product of politics. It's interesting to ponder on whether Herbert meant for either to become actual messiahs, as opposed to figureheads.... *goes off to quietly ponder*