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Foreshadowing
Explanation and Analysis—Skull:
In Book 1, Part 6, Paul discusses his newly evolving mental capacities with his father, Duke Leto. The Duke is proud of his son, smiling at him. In a strange instance of imagery, however, Paul does not respond as one might expect a child to respond to a proud parent:
“Formidable indeed,” the Duke murmured, and Paul saw the proud smile on his father’s face. The smile shocked Paul: it had a skull look on the Duke’s narrow features. Paul closed his eyes, feeling the terrible purpose reawaken within him. Perhaps being a Mentat is terrible purpose, he thought.
Rather than bask in the Duke's praise, as any son normally would, Paul envisions his father's face as a skull, conjuring up the imagery of death. This is no random likeness; Paul is constantly considering his father's fate. He worries that he will not be able to save Duke Leto from the coming trials.
This response from Paul foreshadows the Duke's death, already somewhat of a foregone conclusion in the narrative. While Paul's mental capacities are impressive, he cannot help but see this as a "terrible purpose"—and what son would not, when placed in the position to foretell his father's death?
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