Primary Characters in Moby Dick
Captain Ahab
Ahab stands as the novel's tragic protagonist, a monomaniacal ship captain consumed by his quest for vengeance against Moby Dick, the white whale that bit off his leg.
NoteAhab's character represents the ultimate conflict between human will and the forces of nature, serving as a cautionary tale about obsession and hubris.
Key characteristics:
- Physically marked by a prominent scar running down his face
- Uses a prosthetic leg made from a whale's jawbone
- Exhibits signs of both madness and genius
- Commands absolute authority through charisma and fear
"All visible objects, man, are but as pasteboard masks... If man will strike, strike through the mask! How can the prisoner reach outside except by thrusting through the wall?"
This quote reveals Ahab's philosophical depth and his belief that physical reality masks deeper, darker truths.
Ishmael
The narrator and sole survivor of the Pequod's destruction, Ishmael serves as both participant and observer in the narrative.
Key traits:
- Intellectual and contemplative
- Often philosophical in his observations
- Represents the voice of reason and humanity
- Shows remarkable adaptability and survival instinct
Pay attention to how Ishmael's role shifts between active participant and detached observer throughout the novel.
Queequeg
A Polynesian harpooner and Ishmael's closest friend aboard the Pequod, Queequeg represents the noble savage archetype while subverting it.
Notable characteristics:
