Baron Vladimir Harkonnen - charactor profile, film, facts and memorabilia

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Baron 'Siridar' Vladimir Harkonnen

Dune universe
created by author Frank Herbert (1965-)

Commonly referred to as Baron Harkonnen, his title is officially Siridar (planetary governor) Baron. Vladimir Harkonnen is the direct-line male descendant of the Bashar Abulurd Harkonnen who was banished for cowardice after the Battle of Corrin. The return of House Harkonnen to power generally is ascribed to adroit manipulation of the whale fur market and later consolidation with melange wealth from Arrakis. The Siridar-Baron died on Arrakis during the Revolt. Title passed briefly to the na-Baron, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen.

Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is the main antagonist of the first book of Dune, being the leader of the evil House Harkonnen. He appears in all the books of the Prelude to Dune, as well as the first Dune book, in which he dies at the hands of a young Alia Atreides wielding the Gom Jabbar. He also later returns to possess Alia in Children of Dune. He is known for his sadistic nature, extreme obesity, and great love of young boys. According to the Prelude books he was, at first, a good-looking, muscular man. However, when trying to rape Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam, he was infected by a disease which caused him to become so fat that he eventually had to be carried around by a suspensor belt at all times to move.

Baron Harkonnen himself is poisoned with a gom jabbar by Paul's young sister Alia Atreides, his own granddaughter, and dies at the age of 83. After he is killed, House Harkonnen passed to his na-Baron, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnon. He challenged Paul Atreides to a duel, which Paul won. After Paul defeated Feyd, House Harkonnen passed to the next living heir, the Lady Jessica, who declined the title. Paul then ruled that House Harkonnen passed to himself as the last living heir, and became subsumed into the throne.

Approximately 15244 A.G, Vladimir was resurrected as a ghola by the Lost Tleilaxu Uxtal at the bidding of the new generation of Face Dancers. He was decanted on Tleilax, but later moved by Khrone to Caladan to be raised by the Face Dancers. He was eventually given charge of a ghola of Paul Atreides, being told by Khrone that the Atreides ghola would be very important to their plans soon.

SUMMARY

ARCH RIVAL :	Paul Usul Muad'Dib Atreides.
STRENGTHS :	He is known for his sadistic nature, extreme obesity, and great love of young boys. The Baron's greatest skill is his talent for the subtle and clever manipulation of others through their weaknesses or his understanding of human nature.
WEAKNESSES :	The Baron has to rely later on other people and machines to move him as he's so slow and obese.
WEAPONS :	Laser gun.
QUOTE :	"I won't tell you who the traitor is, or when we'll attack. However, the Duke will die before these eyes and he'll know, he'll know, that it is I, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, who encompasses his doom!"