Dune Messiah

The powerful psychoactive substance called spice, or melange, symbolizes the interrelated nature of various systems of belief and signifies great power in the novel. Bronso of Ix calls spice the “ultimate coin of the realm” (9). It is essential to space navigation, promotes prescience and expanded consciousness, extends life, creates the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mothers, and is the most valuable substance in the universe. Lethal in large quantities, spice also represents the dangers of concentrated power and foresight. In Dune, the value of spice is inseparable from the religious and political activities it enables; by extension, Herbert suggests that all economic value stems from systems of belief, and that philosophy creates practical aspects of reality.

Spice is also closely tied to danger and power in the novel. Irulan understands the danger of Hayt in terms of spice addiction: “Melange was valuable […] but it was still just another way to die. The ghola was something of deadly value” (107-8). Irulan understands that things that offer great possibilities often come with high risks and costs. Similarly, although the abduction of a sandworm by the conspirators does not result in spice production off Arrakis, it indicates the severity of the threat to Paul.