I think the stomp is very minimal in comparison to the Emperor murdering Paul’s father and coup on the House of Atreides. The Emperor betrayed the Atreides; like Paul said, he’s lucky to not be executed.

I took it as a non-violent show of aggression. What were the options? Yelling? No thanks. Violence? He'd already successfully and strategically expressed violence. Having his followers manhandle Shaddam? That would undermine his immediate plan to marry Irulan. The stomp was a way to express his irritation, aggression, and general attitude of not backing down in a way that clearly separated him from the past undeserving power of the last emperor. It was a clear cultural separation and perhaps one that the tribal Fremen understood better than the noble house, city-dwelling, spice consuming overlords who were watching. In more than one way, Paul has chosen his side and power base.

Paul, already accepted into the tribe as a free man to give himself strength and courage, beats his fist to his chest, dancing the dance that must be danced lest the worm kill you - that is the culture of the tribe. And this is his latest display of youthful energy in all its impatience and absolutism. A youthful impatience where it is easier and quicker to kill the enemy than to be restrainedly majestic like an old emperor. He will be emperor ....The imperial crown is like a beautiful toy in a shop, when a child stomps his feet for his mother to buy it. The emperor is stalling for time, he doesn't want to bend his knees and the young man's power. Different energies . By the book he's 17 at the most. What else can you do to the emperor when there is no way he will recognise his authority in front of everyone ? What are some ideas? Not many! Shout, wave your hand, stomp. I'd stomp too.) It's my favourite moment.

@@sagashaman This was so eloquent, and I agree. Loved reading this.

Paul has just been stabbed twice by a man fighting him on behalf of an emperor who had killed Paul's father. Paul has had to give up everything he loved to an insane system, including his right to determine his own life. The only one who loved him without condition, was his father, and his father was gone. Duncan Idaho was gone. He could not spend his life with the woman he loves. His mother transformed into a Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother, a member of an organization whose hubris had led to everything being taken from Paul. I'm amazed he didn't take the emperor's head off.