Dune Q&A

Leto is betrayed by Dr. Yueh, who is thought to be trustworthy due to his training under the Suk School of the Emperor. The Baron makes Yueh a traitor by capturing his wife, Wanna, who also happens to be a Bene Gesserit. The Baron begins to sever her limbs and forces Yueh to betray the Atreides as the only means to free her from the torture. Yueh subdues Duke Leto, and drugs, Jessica and Paul, for the Baron, who then kills him upon the first meeting.

The Spacing Guild is an immensely powerful organization that has a monopoly on interstellar space travel. The Spacing guild achieves space travel through the use of Spice, which can only be found on Arrakis. The Spacing Guild ultimately controls the universe since interstellar travel is so essential in the ruling of the Empire. Paul wins influence over the Spacing Guild by threatening to destroy the production of Spice forever, and proving that he can do so.

Spice is produced by a dying Sandworm of Arrakis. It is one of the most valuable substances in the universe because it is essential for space travel and it cannot be synthesized. The Spice has a profound effect on Paul, as it helps him achieve states in which he can perceive the future. The Fremen use Spice in a variety of ways throughout their rituals, which imbue them with a greater sense of community. The plot of the book revolves around the struggle for Arrakis primarily because it is the only source of Spice.

Paul Atreides is expertly trained from a young age and possesses genetics that has been shaped by the Bene Gesserit for centuries. The Bene Gesserit have been attempting to perfect bloodlines to yield an individual with a mind that can lead the Universe into a new direction, and Jessica believes that he is the prophesied mind. However, Paul and Jessica use the prophecies for their ambitions even before it is truly established that he is indeed that prophesied Individual.