Paul Atreides—Emperor of the Known Universe, powerful oracle, and Mentat-trained politician—is the primary protagonist of Dune Messiah. Physically, Paul is described as having dark hair, “blue-blue Fremen eyes, mark of spice addiction” and “a sharp Atreides nose” (34). This combination of physical characteristics symbolizes Paul’s dual identity as a Fremen and an Atreides.

Despite being the most powerful man to ever live, Paul feels trapped by fate. His prescient abilities show him the one possible future, or “Golden Path,” that will ensure the survival of humanity. Paul resents that this path requires him to suffer the loss of Chani and his own humanity and to become a deified hero. Paul considers himself as “chosen […] before I had much say in it” (45). Paul’s struggle to escape his fated heroism drives much of the action of the novel, as his enhanced abilities enable him to overpower the conspirators against him. Combined with Paul’s hubris as Emperor—he believes he can and must exert totalitarian control over the entire universe—Paul’s philosophical anguish makes him his own greatest enemy.

Chani’s pregnancy confirms Paul’s vision of her dying in childbirth and pushes him to accept his fate as inevitable.