Light spoilers for Dune Part One and some of the lore in Frank Herbert’s novel.
When it comes to Paul’s destiny in the sci-fi epic Dune, the House Atreides heir finds his fate tangled up in the Bene Gesserit’s long-game plan as well as the prophecy of the fabled Kwisatz Haderach. Although Dune Part One doesn’t delve deeply into the lore that underpins Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, the second installment in director Denis Villeneuve’s saga is set to focus on Paul Atreides’ (Timothée Chalamet) chosen one-style destiny. In the 2021 film, Paul and his parents, Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) and Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), journey to Arrakis, the sole source of Dune‘s drug melange, to take over its stewardship from House Harkonnen.
Given how integral “the spice” is to space travel, it’s said that, “He who controls the spice controls the universe.” Of course, the psychedelic melange also has other effects: habitual spice users can achieve a longer life span, greater vitality, and heightened awareness. Although harvesting melange is a deadly business thanks to the deposits’ giant sandworm guards, the powerful substance is prized by both the Fremen, the Indigenous people of Arrakis, and the Bene Gesserit, a women-only order whose members unlock superhuman abilities. In Dune Part Two, the sisterhood will once again try to subtly guide humanity along a path that aligns with their predetermined endgame.
What Kwisatz Haderach Means In The Dune Universe
That Bene Gesserit endgame revolves around preparing for the birth of a super-being, the Kwisatz Haderach. Coming from Chakobsa — a hybrid, ancient language used by both the Fremen and Bene Gesserit — the term “Kwisatz Haderach” literally translates to “Shortening of the Way.” The Way is a reference to the “Weirding Way,” a Bene Gesserit-developed combat technique that requires mastery of mind and body. Jessica teaches Paul the lightning-like movements of the Weirding Way as part of his physical and mental conditioning. While not the only preternatural ability linked to the Bene Gesserit, it plays a key role in the lore surrounding the Kwisatz Haderach.
In Dune Part One, Paul meets Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) for the first time. The leader of the Bene Gesserit and the Imperial Truthsayer, Gaius Helen Mohiam is also Jessica’s mentor. Upon meeting Paul, she administers a strange test: Paul must keep his hand inside a pain-inducing box — if he moves, she’ll kill him with a lethal poison-tipped needle. Present to test Paul’s abilities, she also mentions that she’s unlocked the genetic memory of their women ancestors. In order to become a Reverend Mother, she underwent the spice agony; by overdosing on melange, she learned how to transmute the toxin into a harmless substance.
The Bene Gesserit’s Plan To Create The Kwisatz Haderach Explained
While Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam’s experience with spice agony — a process that helped her unlock genetic memory — may seem unrelated to the coming of the Kwisatz Haderach, it’s actually all inter-related. Since the male side of the Bene Gesserit ancestry repels and terrorizes those who unlock the genetic memory, the matriarchal order cannot fully unlatch that hidden knowledge. That said, the prophesied Kwisatz Haderach would be a male Bene Gesserit, able to access the memories of all of his ancestors. While the Bene Gesserit guide others toward their goals, their ultimate endgame is to create the Kwisatz Haderach, thus giving them direct control over the universe.
With this objective in mind, Dune‘s Bene Gesserit order prizes loyalty above all else, as no goal or allegiance is more important than creating the Kwisatz Haderach. In order to ensure this so-called super-being arrives at the right time, the Bene Gesserit designed a large-scale breeding program. Interestingly enough, one of the Bene Gesserit’s key abilities is internal organic-chemical control, meaning acolytes can exert control over their organs and body chemistry. With this skill at their disposal, the Bene Gesserit have manipulated bloodlines for generations as part of their breeding program scheme, using the sisters to gather the genes needed to birth the foretold Kwisatz Haderach.
How Powerful The Kwisatz Haderach Is Compared To The Bene Gesserit
While the Kwisatz Haderach and the Bene Gesserit have many of the same abilities, the super-being is more powerful by design. Not only can the male Bene Gesserit tap into the genetic memory of all their ancestors, but the prescient chosen one is also gifted with the power to bridge space and time. Given that the Kwisatz Haderach is Dune‘s version of a messiah, it’s no surprise that the mythical figure would have powers beyond those of the Bene Gesserit. Of course, it’s thanks to their whopping 10,000 years of selective breeding that he comes to be, so the order certainly isn’t to be dismissed.
Paul Atreides Is Destined To Be The Kwisatz Haderach
Also dubbed by Herbert as “the one who can be many places at once,” the Kwisatz Haderach is said to possess absolute prescience. In short, the Dune messiah will be able to see all the universe’s possible futures and choose which to pursue. While the Bene Gesserit assume they’ll be able to assert control over the Kwisatz Haderach, thus making their order the most powerful group in the empire, things don’t go according to plan. The concubine of Duke Leto Atreides, Lady Jessica is given very clear instructions by the Bene Gesserit: bear Leto a daughter — not any sons.
According to the breeding program, Leto and Jessica’s would-be daughter would then marry Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), the nephew of Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård). Not only would the son of this union mend the rift between the rival houses, but he would be the Kwisatz Haderach. Of course, this doesn’t pan out. Jessica, who’s legitimately in love with Leto, gives him the son (and heir) he so desires. While the Bene Gesserit are livid with Jessica, they’re intrigued by the prospect of their prophesied messiah arriving a generation early. That said, Paul is destined to be the Kwisatz Haderach — even if the Bene Gesserit aren’t quite prepared.
The Difference Between Kwisatz Haderach & Lisan al Gaib
The terms “Kwisatz Haderach” and “Lisan al Gaib” are essentially different names for the same prophesied being. The latter, however, is a Fremen term for the messiah (or “off-world prophet,” teasing Paul’s absolute prescience). Translated to both “The Voice from the Outer World” and “Giver of Water” by Dune‘s Fremen, Lisan al Gaib has real-world roots in Arabic (roughly, “tongue of the unseen“). In accordance with their scheme, the Bene Gesserit have long-prepared Dune‘s Fremen people for the arrival of the messiah. Even though Paul Atreides surfaces sooner than anticipated, the Fremen quickly embrace him as the prophesied leader, setting an intriguing stage for Dune Part Two.
Key Release Dates
Dune: Part Two
Release Date:2024-03-15
