Organized paragraphs.

Just like drugs on planet Earth, Arrkanis possess an addictive drug known as “spice.” If consumed, it gives the person an insight of the future, however if exposed to this drug one must keep taking it. If failing to do so death will come. This is one of the main conflicts in the novels Dune and Dune Messiah written by Frank Herbert. Spice became the target of many royal families, for the power of possession. The addiction led to many deaths whether from fighting to gain possession of it or simply from the drug itself. Not only are people but the universe is centered around this absurd narcotic. Not only have they become dependent on spice, it has also possessed power over them. 

Since melange has become the center attention of the universe, having control of the substance and the planet equates to a great amount of power. Royal individuals such as Baron Harkonnen will do what he can to take the Duke’s control over the spice. He goes out of his way to arrange a trade between planets, he also hires someone to get gain the Duke’s and his family’s trust so he’ll have access to the Duke’s plan, only to betray them. “‘The Harkonnens have been stockpiling for more than twenty years.’ ‘They mean the spice production to fail and you to be blamed.’ ‘They wish the Areides name to become unpopular,’ the Duke said”  (Herbert 43). The Duke is well aware of the intentions of the self-seeking Harkonnens, he tells Paul that knowing you who and where the traps are, is the first step to avoiding the trap itself. The Duke is not narrow minded to think  that only the Harkonnens are after the spice he knows other Houses are also stockpiling in spice, however he doesn’t accuse them just yet because that will lead to more enemies, instead he keeps a close watch on them. Spice plays two roles when talking about power, because not only does it posses power to those who consumes it, having a great possession of it also means power. 

Spice does not only have dominance over those who get addicted to the substance, but those who  control the planet of Arkannis have dominance over about everyone in the universe. It addicted people, killed people, caused clashes between families, and shaped the universe whether good or bad. In the duration of the two novels by Frank Herbert, Dune and Dune Messiah it dealt with the effects this drug has on people -- their planets. This substance should be taken with precaution, because it’s deathly and addictive, but people don’t acknowledge that.