Similarities between Gorlim the Unhappy and Dr. Yueh

[Idril Celebrindal]

I was recently re-reading Dune for probably the twentieth time, and I noticed some interesting similarities between Yueh and Gorlim. Both betrayed their leader and companions to the main bad guy to save their wives from captivity and join them. Both were consequently killed along with their wives. The only fundemental differences I can think of are:
1. Yueh knew that he and his wife Wanna would be killed but nevertheless decided that death for him and his wife would be better that the cruel torture the Harkonens put Wanna to. Wheras Gorlim made the mistake of trusting Morgoth and thought that he would actually be permitted to escape with Elinel.
2. Gorlim was captured and put to torture but resiseted untill the offer of freedom with Elinel was given to him. Yueh, however, (as far as we know) volentarily offered his treachery to the Harkonens without torture so as to free his wife from her torment.
3. Gorlim only betrayed (correct me if I got the number wrong) a dozen men, wheras Yueh betrayed a whole royal house, probably compromising of a couple thousand men, nearly all of whom died.
4. Yueh was conditioned by a Suk School from birth, meaning that it should have been impossible for him to even consider treachery, which means that the love he had for Wanna must have been very great indeed for him to basically go against his own mind. For him betraying the Atreides was what it would bee for you to set your own house on fire so that you could roast a marshmallow, times ten.
What do you think of the simmilarities and differences between Gorlim and Yueh's betreyals and deaths? Who do you sympathise more with? Which character do you find more interesting?

 

[TrackerOrc]

I was recently re-reading Dune for probably the twentieth time, and I noticed some interesting similarities between Yueh and Gorlim. Both betrayed their leader and companions to the main bad guy to save their wives from captivity and join them. Both were consequently killed along with their wives. The only fundemental differences I can think of are:
1. Yueh knew that he and his wife Wanna would be killed but nevertheless decided that death for him and his wife would be better that the cruel torture the Harkonens put Wanna to. Wheras Gorlim made the mistake of trusting Morgoth and thought that he would actually be permitted to escape with Elinel.
2. Gorlim was captured and put to torture but resiseted untill the offer of freedom with Elinel was given to him. Yueh, however, (as far as we know) volentarily offered his treachery to the Harkonens without torture so as to free his wife from her torment.
3. Gorlim only betrayed (correct me if I got the number wrong) a dozen men, wheras Yueh betrayed a whole royal house, probably compromising of a couple thousand men, nearly all of whom died.
4. Yueh was conditioned by a Suk School from birth, meaning that it should have been impossible for him to even consider treachery, which means that the love he had for Wanna must have been very great indeed for him to basically go against his own mind. For him betraying the Atreides was what it would bee for you to set your own house on fire so that you could roast a marshmallow, times ten.
What do you think of the simmilarities and differences between Gorlim and Yueh's betreyals and deaths? Who do you sympathise more with? Which character do you find more interesting?

Another Dune fan; I can't say I've read the books as many times as you, but I'm getting there!
I think I actually sympathise more with Yueh; he walks into the trap with the full knowledge that he, and Wanna will not survive. He sacrifices himself to gain release for Wanna, knowing the damage he will do to the Atreides (and what's more, knowing what history will think of him). I think Gorlim's story is lesser (if that's the right word) as it's basically Gorlim being deceived - there isn't the self-sacrifice of Yueh (though obviously he resists torture to try and save Elinel).

 

[Eljorahir]

Even the lines delivered by the villains in the final face-to-face meetings are somewhat similar and playfully evil.

Sauron to Gorlim: "...I will grant thy prayer, and thou shalt go to Eilinel, and be set free of my service."

The Baron to Yueh: "Well, the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen always keeps his promises. I told you I'd free her from agony and permit you to join her. So be it."

 

[TrackerOrc]

Even the lines delivered by the villains in the final face-to-face meetings are somewhat similar and playfully evil.

Sauron to Gorlim: "...I will grant thy prayer, and thou shalt go to Eilinel, and be set free of my service."

The Baron to Yueh: "Well, the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen always keeps his promises. I told you I'd free her from agony and permit you to join her. So be it."

THe Baron (all the Harkonnens I suppose) really are exceptional villains aren't they!

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

THe Baron (all the Harkonnens I suppose) really are exceptional villains aren't they!

Yes: the best books (in my opinion, anyway) are usually the ones with the meanest villans/antagonists, and Dune ans the Silmarillion are definetly two of those.
Take 1984, for instance. I don't think there's even a proper word in Elvish, Entish or the tounges of men to describe O'Brian.

 

[TrackerOrc]

Yes: the best books (in my opinion, anyway) are usually the ones with the meanest villans/antagonists, and Dune ans the Silmarillion are definetly two of those.
Take 1984, for instance. I don't think there's even a proper word in Elvish, Entish or the tounges of men to describe O'Brian.

O'Brian always struck me as completely chilling because he seems to be absolutely sure that he is in the right, unlike the Harkonens who take great pleasure in the horror they cause just for the sake of it.
Richard Burton gave a brilliant portrayal of O'Brian opposite John Hurt as Winston in one of his last roles if I remember correctly.