The Top 5 Similarities Between Paul McCartney and Paul Atreides

Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel Dune was released in August 1965,  almost 18 months after Beatlemania had reached American shores. Was Dune’s Paul Atreides modelled on Paul McCartney who, by that time, was more famous and revered than any other celebrity in the history of popular culture? Let’s investigate.

It’s fair to assume that Frank Herbert wasn’t in any way influenced by Paul McCartney when he began writing Dune in 1959. However, by 1965, he definitely would have been aware of the Beatles and the adulation heaped upon McCartney. Did Paul McCartney’s fame retroactively have an impact on Herbert’s characterisation of Paul Atreides, the oval faced, black haired teenage son of Duke Leto and the potential messiah of Arrakis? Am I once again finding parallels where there are none? Most likely. But here they are anyway, the Top 5 Similarities Between The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Dune’s Paul Atreides:

Number 5: Dedicated Follower of Fashion

Both Pauls frequently dressed in militaristic garb, which had become particularly fashionable in London during the mid 60s. The Beatles famously wore military style jackets at their 1965 US performance in Shea Stadium (which, admittedly, was broadcast in the US two years after Dune was published).

Number 4: She Loves You (Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)

From 1963 until 1968, McCartney was in a relationship with actress Jane Asher. Paul Atreides' partner and concubine is Fremen warrior Chani Kynes. Despite the fact that her character is played in both film adaptations by brunettes, in the novel she is described as having red hair. Just like Jane Asher.

Number 3: You Know My Name

Paul McCartney shares his first name with Paul Atreides. In 1959, the name Paul was the 17th most popular name for boys. It remained relatively steady at that position through to Dune’s publication six years later. Although it stands to reason that an author might choose a popular name for his protagonist, let’s look at the names of some of the other male characters in Dune - Leto, Duncan, Gurney, Thufir, Wellington, Glossu, Fenring. Unlike Paul, each of these names sound sufficiently science fictiony for a novel set in the year 10,191. Unsurprisingly, all are absent from the top 100 list of boy names from 1959.

Number 2: Day Tripper

Both Pauls dabbled in hallucinogens. The spice melange of Arrakis bestows vitality,  longevity and prescience on Atreides, while the Beatles’ experiences with LSD opened their minds to new ways of creating music and cultivating facial hair. McCartney didn’t drop acid until late 1965, but LSD was readily available and partaken by artists, writers and musicians throughout the 60s.

Number 1: The Word

By modulating tone and pitch, both Pauls were able to use their voice to affect the lives of others. McCartney won the hearts and minds of teens and their mums the world over with his singing, while Atreides used the Bene Gesserit power of the Voice to literally control people’s thoughts and actions.