In the epic novel “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, the idea of revenge plays a major role throughout the story. The theme of revenge runs throughout the entire piece and impacts nearly all the characters and events that take place. This obsession held by Captain Ahab, motivates him to go to extraordinary lengths to kill the great white whale, Moby Dick.
The whale, Moby Dick, had taken Ahab’s leg in a previous encounter, the story begins with Ahab’s desire to take revenge against this animal. As the story progresses, Ahab becomes even more obsessive about this idea. Eventually Moby Dick morphs from a whale to the embodiment of evil in Ahab’s mind (Roberts, 1966). He becomes so consumed with this desire to defeat this evil being that he places himself in the role of martyr, the savior who will put an end to evil. This speaks of the great disillusionment that can be the result of revenge.
He engages the entire crew on this quest, suggesting that the one to see or kill Moby Dick will be handsomely rewarded for their efforts. He doesn’t seem to mind placing them or himself in extra danger, he only wants to kill the whale. Ishmael related that he agrees with Ahab’s plan and the oath that the crew is required to take. The crew most likely had little choice to make the pledge to Ahab, as the captain he imposed his beliefs onto his crew. A murderous environment begins to build within the ship. Melville states,
Free Themes Of Moby Dick Research Paper - Revenge In Moby Dick
Type of paper: Research Paper
Topic: Literature, Psychology, Ethics, Evil, Crew, Mind, Desire, Moby Dick
Pages: 1
Words: 250
Published: 01/28/2020
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