Moby Dick - Characters of Captain Ahab and Ishmael :: Moby Dick Essays

The characters of captain Ahab and pariah atomic number 18 almost opposites. closely the only things the two share in common are that they are both seamen and they both are on a hunt for a whale. Ishmael is a pleasing character, who plays the role of the main character as well as narrator. He is a common reality who has a love for the sea, and goes to it to clear his mind whenever he feels down or feels that it is a damp, drizzly November in his soul. As for his physical appearance, he doesnt really specify. However, one might assume that he is a middle-aged man and probably holds the characteristics of the stereotypical seaman. But, what the character lacks in physical description, he makes up for with a full personality that his describe extensively throughout the book. Ishmael is a man who seeks what is best described as midland peace. He is very content with himself when on the water, and has a big(p) love for being a seaman. He joins the crew of the Pequod to satisfy his craving to be back on the ocean, but as it turns out, the particular expedition he is to set out on is not what he had suspected. For this transport would be commanded by a half-crazed captain in a desperate search for a viscous washcloth whale. Over all, Ishmael is definitely the most civilized and wise man in the story. master copy Ahab is an overwhelmingly intimidating character in the story, and can probably be considered the most deranged of them all. His radical obsession with finding and killing the white whale known as Moby-Dick causes Ishmael and others of the crew to become terrified at his abnormal behavior. Ahabs physical appearance is best described as foreboding and evil. He is a tall man with colour hair, and is missing a leg due to a death-defying confrontation with Moby-Dick himself. His unused artificial leg is made from the bone of whale and once over again adds to his intimidating form. His personality is also quite mad. He has a maniacal presence abo ut him and would risk his life and the lives of his crewmen just to fulfill his missionary work of demented revenge. Melville does a fine job describing this particular character with the net extremeness. The characters of Ishmael and Ahab are two that have a great and unfavourable impact on the book.