Moby Dick Essays (1583 words) - Moby-Dick, Captain Ahab, Ishmael

Moby Dick Moby Dick can be viewed as a tragedy. Webster's Dictionary defines tragedy as a "dramatic composition, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, fate or circumstance to downfall or destruction." This describes Moby Dick very well, as we discover as the story unfolds. Ahab, one of the key characters in the novel, can be viewed as the protagonist, one who causes the actions that occur and who brings the story to its tragic conclusion. He is seen as the tragic hero. He is a man distinguished by courage and ability, who is admired for his qualities and achievements. The reader can sympathize, feeling pity and compassion for Ahab. We can understand to some extent the feelings that this man must have experienced and we can relate to them. The villain or antagonist to Ahab is Moby Dick, the White Whale whom Ahab pursues, leading to the death of himself and his crew. This leaves Ishmael as the only survivor to tell the story. Ahab is a deeply disturbed man. He could be viewed as a crazy lunatic. Though crazy as he is, he clearly knows what he wants to do and has a clear plan to do it and carries it out to the end. Ahab can be seen as both the tragic hero and a crazy lunatic. The story unfolds in New Bedford, where the narrator Ishmael comes seeking a job on a whaling vessel. In New Bedford he shares a bed at an Inn with a cannibal from New Zealand. The cannibal is a skilled harpooner named Queequeq. Ishmael and Queequeq become immediate friends. The two end up choosing the vessel named The Piquod. One of the two owners, Peleg who they interview with before they are given positions with the ship, describes Ahab as a "...grand, ungodly, god-like man, Captain Ahab; doesn't speak much but when he does speak, then you may well listen." (76) We are told by Peleg that he is "..moody, desperate moody and savage sometimes." "...Better to be a moody good captain than a laughing bad one." (77) The name Ahab is symbolic and taken from the Bible. Ahab was an evil man having had someone killed so he could be king. He was named after his widowed mother, who died when he was only twelve months old. Peleg seems to want Ishmael to overlook the wickedness of Ahab. Ishmael comes away more struck by sympathy and sorrow for him and the loss of his leg, overlooking the dark side of Ahab. Ishmael tells of his impression of Ahab, after they have been out at sea for several days. Ahab was in his cabin out of view of the crew up until then. Ishmael's description gives the reader a picture of the devastation that the whale did to the captain's body. Regardless of Ahab's disabilities, the captain maintains a strong sense of dignity. The reader soon finds that Ahab's temperament is very mean spirited as evidenced in his run in with Stubb, who had suggested that he find some way to muffle the planks when he walked as he disturbed the crew. He no longer finds simple pleasure anymore because of the torment of his obsession. This is illustrated when he throws his favorite pipe into the sea. The pipe is a symbol of peace and tranquility. Not something in the disposition of this man. Melville uses symbols like these throughout the book. During the voyage, Ahab gathers his crew, giving them grog and performing a pagan ceremony to join him in hunting down and killing Moby Dick. This is an example of his manipulation of the crew in to supporting him. He entices them with the prospect of winning a gold doubloon, which he stakes on the mast to the first person that spots the white whale. To appeal to his harpooners he engages them in a pagan blood ceremony. These acts work in getting them on his side. The only one who is horrified by this is Starbuck, his first mate. He sees the mad man, incapable of keeping to the mission at hand, which is harvesting whales for profit. Starbuck acts as a thorn in Ahab's side throughout the story, keeping Ahab somewhat honest during the voyage We can see Ahab as a tormented man; he suffers in physical and mental pain, and is obsessed by only one thing, vengeance against the whale. This does not