Spice is a vital resource in the world of Dune and Dune: Prophecyand it’s crucial to understand its purpose to understand the series. On Dune Timeline-wise, the HBO prequel series is set 10,000 years before the events of the films, and while there are new characters and dynamics at play, there are many common elements. THE original 1965 Dune Frank Herbert’s novel and Denis Villeneuve’s film adaptations center on the planet Arrakis and the conflict over spiceswhile being put on the back burner on the new TV show.
Unlike many science fiction worlds that rely on the functions of artificial intelligence or highly advanced computers, the world of Dune it depends on spices, known as ‘Spice Melange’. It is responsible for the iconic bright blue eyes that Paul Atreides and Chani have in Dune films, and for most of Paul’s arc in the story. One can understand the characters and relationships in Dunebut to fully understand how the world works, you need to know about spices, their role in the known universe and their uses.
Controlling spice production means power in the Dune franchise
Spice is the most valuable resource in the dune universe
These tiny particles of orange dust exert immense power and influence on the Dune universe, as the seasoning is relevant to several aspects of the story. It is the most important resource in the world and can only be harvested on Arrakis, a planet with a hostile natural environment and a population of inhabitants who are often hostile to the forces of the Empirecalled Fremen. This makes spice production a constant challenge for the Empire, and several houses have been put in charge of the planet’s fiefdom to oversee the process, such as House Atriedes and House Harkonnen.
Spice is inspired by psychedelic mushrooms, and while it can cause similar effects, there are other reasons why it is equivalent to power. Spice can offer abilities and improvements to its users, making it a crucial resource for the economy of the known universe. That’s it used prominently by Spacing Guild Navigatorsthat consume it to plot their course before the trip, allowing them to make hyperspace jumps with precision without the use of computers, which are prohibited in the Dune universe.
With these uses, spice production is worthwhile despite the immense and constant challenges. The main conflict of Dune is centered on the value placed on the house chosen to rule Arrakis, and Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino offers the position to House Atreides to create conflict between them and House Harkonnen.
How Spice Led to Conflict in Dune
Houses Want Control of Arrakis Despite Its Challenges
THE the war between House Atreides and House Harkonnen is the central conflict of the original Dune novel and film adaptations by Denis Villeneuvebut the conflict over Arrakis also plays out throughout the stories told by Brian Hebert and Kevin J. Anderson, whether it takes center stage or not. Despite fighting to control spice production, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is furious when the fiefdom of Arrakis is granted to Duke Leto Atreides, and plots the downfall of House Atreides throughout 2021. Dune film.
In addition to the noble houses, the spice constantly creates conflicts between the Empire and the Fremen, which is shown in Dune: Prophecy. The spice is used in many facets of the Fremen’s daily life, and they depend entirely on its production to survive, creating a natural contest between them and the external forces that harvest it. The Fremen despise outsiders who come to Arrakis in search of spice.but Duke Leto Atreides was wise enough to understand that aligning with them in a mutually beneficial relationship would work better than fighting them.
Spice has special powers in Dune
Spice can grant mind-enhanced abilities
The spice is used for various purposes in Dune universe that belong to the human mind. Instead of AI or computers, the mind is the greatest source of power in the world. Duneand spices can be consumed to improve perception and awaken untapped areas of brain power. Due to the absence of computers, it is crucial to have enhanced human minds that can fulfill their purposes.. Generally speaking, the seasoning can also prolong human life and bring several health benefits.
Like any narcotic, spice can result in user addiction, and prolonged exposure and use can cause physical changes. Fremen are known for their bright blue eyes due to exposure, and Space Guild Navigators barely resemble humans after excessive consumption. In Dunethe spice is consumed to increase Paul Atreides’ prescience.
The Role of Spices in Dune: Prophecy Explained
Control of Arrakis is a background conflict in the HBO show
Dune: Prophecy may not be as spice-oriented as the movies, but no story told in Dune universe is far from your influence. Javicco Corrino is the emperor, ruling from Selusa Secundus, but his control over the known universe is not as stable as he would like it to be. In episode 1, it is revealed that Fremen attacks disrupted spice production on Arrakis. To maintain control, it is vital for Javicco to put things in order on Arrakis, so he proposes a marriage alliance with House Richese in exchange for their fleet of combat ships.
Desmond Hart, a soldier who miraculously survived his most recent trip to Arrakis, is the main character of Dune: Prophecy. He is a veteran of twelve tours, although the most recent one ended with a devastating attack that killed every man in his group. Desmond survived this, and also survived being swallowed underground by a giant sandworm, which Javicco sees in a hologram recording at the end of episode 1. Somehow, Desmond emerged from the sandworm’s interior with mysterious new powers. which could have something to do with spices.
Spice is also tied to the HBO prequel show’s central prophecy. Mother Superior Raquella’s final vision involved spices, as well as a sandworm on Arrakis. Dune: Prophecy It doesn’t yet have a full scene set on Arrakis, but the flow of flavor is tied into almost every aspect of the show. Every established faction in the series, be it the Brotherhood, Empire, or Rebellion, has some interest in the spice flow. As Baron Harkonnen said in the original novel: “whoever controls the spice controls the universe.”