The Sandman: A complete timeline of Morpheus' biggest mistakes, explored

Morpheus — also known as Dream — is a central figure in The Sandman, whose flaws define much of the story’s tragedy. As one of the Endless, Morpheus is immensely powerful, but his pride, emotional detachment, and rigid sense of duty often lead to devastating consequences.

Across decades, readers and viewers have witnessed his biggest mistakes — some that altered realms, others that ended relationships, and one that ultimately cost him everything.

Here’s a complete timeline of Morpheus’ most defining errors in The Sandman, backed by context and consequence.

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Broken bonds in The Sandman: Family, love, and loss

Imprisoning Nada in Hell for 10,000 Years

Morpheus falls in love with Nada, a mortal queen. When she refuses his love out of fear of cosmic consequences, he responds by condemning her to Hell. He later admits this was a mistake, but not before letting her suffer for millennia.

Abandoning his son, Orpheus (Ancient Greece)

His son Orpheus becomes a disembodied head, pleading with Morpheus to end his life. Morpheus refuses out of adherence to rules and pride. Eventually, he relents and kills Orpheus — a move that breaks sacred laws and sets off a chain of events that lead to his own demise.

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The Corinthian and Pre-Modern Failures

Creating the Corinthian and letting him loose (Pre-20th Century)

The Corinthian, a nightmare created by Morpheus, escapes into the human world and becomes a serial killer. Morpheus fails to stop him early, allowing his creation to wreak havoc until he finally uncreates him.

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His capture in 1916 and the collapse of The Dreaming

Allowing himself to be captured (1916)

In 1916, Morpheus is trapped by Roderick Burgess during an occult ritual gone wrong. His captivity lasts 105 years, during which his realm, The Dreaming, falls apart. Without Dream’s governance, nightmares and dreams roam free, damaging both the realm and human minds.

Vengeful Punishment of Alex Burgess (Post-Escape, ~2021)

Upon escape, Morpheus condemns Burgess’ son, Alex, to eternal sleep. Instead of choosing mercy or reform, Morpheus opts for vengeance. The punishment is severe and reflects his inability to forgive.

Sacrificing Gregory to regain power (Immediately Post-Escape)

After escaping captivity, Morpheus sacrifices Gregory, a loyal and beloved gargoyle, to restore his powers. This act, though necessary, showcases his willingness to harm loyal beings for personal restoration.

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Return and reckoning: Failures of leadership in The Sandman

Nearly Killing Rose Walker (Shortly after his return)

Desire, one of Morpheus’ siblings, manipulates events so that he nearly kills Rose Walker, a dream vortex who is unknowingly related to the Endless. Killing her would have broken sacred laws. Though he stops in time, the near-miss shows his blind spots and lack of emotional clarity.

Failed relationship with Thessaly and Wanda (Mid-to-Late Series)

Morpheus’s relationship with the witch Thessaly collapses after the death of Wanda, a friend affected by Dream’s magic. Thessaly leaves, disillusioned by his inability to navigate emotional reality.

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The final act: Pride, protocol, and his inevitable downfall

Killing Orpheus: The fatal error (Later timeline, near end)

Morpheus finally ends Orpheus’ life as an act of mercy, but this cosmic violation makes him vulnerable to the wrath of the Furies — ancient entities of vengeance. This ultimately triggers his destruction, fulfilling the tragic arc of his rule.

Choosing duty over growth (Final Arc)

Despite multiple opportunities to change or hand over responsibilities, Morpheus refuses. He stays chained to his sense of duty, choosing honor over survival. His refusal to adapt seals his fate and ends his existence.

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In The Sandman, Morpheus’ journey is shaped less by his victories and more by his mistakes — each one revealing the danger of power without flexibility, and duty without empathy.

The Sandman season 2 Vol. 1 hits the screens on July 3.