Moby Dick (AmazonClassics Edition) characters

Appears from the start

The narrator, a restless former schoolteacher who goes to sea when life ashore becomes oppressive. He chooses a whaling voyage for its danger and scope, observing the people, labor, natural history, and symbolism of the hunt with an expansive, questioning intelligence.

First appears in chapter 3

A highly skilled harpooner from the fictional Pacific island of Rokovoko. Tattooed and initially alarming to Ishmael, he proves calm, generous, courageous, and practical. The two become close friends and agree to seek a berth on the same whaling ship.

Also known as Coffin

First appears in chapter 3

The talkative proprietor of the Spouter-Inn in New Bedford. Faced with a shortage of beds, he places Ishmael in a room shared with the absent harpooner Queequeg and helps turn their alarming first meeting into an orderly arrangement.

First appears in chapter 7

A celebrated former sailor who preaches at the Whaleman's Chapel in New Bedford. He climbs into a ship-shaped pulpit and delivers a sermon on Jonah, obedience, and the burden of speaking unwelcome truth before Ishmael and Queequeg leave for Nantucket.

Also known as Captain Peleg

First appears in chapter 16

A retired whaling captain and part-owner of the Pequod. Blunt, energetic, and commercially minded, he interviews Ishmael and Queequeg, argues over their shares, and signs them for the voyage while defending the absent Captain Ahab's ability.

Also known as Captain Bildad

First appears in chapter 16

A wealthy Quaker part-owner of the Pequod and a former whaler. Stern, economical, and outwardly pious, he joins Peleg in hiring the crew and presses for the smallest possible financial shares.

First appears in chapter 19

A mysterious old man on the Nantucket waterfront who questions Ishmael and Queequeg about signing aboard the Pequod. He offers dark, ambiguous warnings about Ahab and the voyage without explaining exactly what he knows.

First appears in chapter 26

The Pequod's first mate, a capable Nantucket whaleman, husband, and father. Serious, cautious, and guided by his Quaker conscience, he accepts the dangers of whaling as work but distrusts needless risk and uncontrolled passion.

First appears in chapter 27

The Pequod's easygoing second mate. Cheerful in danger and inclined to turn unsettling events into jokes or practical problems, he commands one of the whaleboats and works with the harpooner Tashtego.

First appears in chapter 27

The Pequod's short, solidly built third mate, less experienced and less reflective than Starbuck or Stubb. He treats whales chiefly as valuable prey and commands a boat with Daggoo as his harpooner.

First appears in chapter 27

A Wampanoag harpooner from Martha's Vineyard who serves in Stubb's boat. Quick, daring, and exceptionally accurate with a harpoon, he is one of the Pequod's three principal harpooners.

First appears in chapter 27

A towering African harpooner from the fictional village of Kabenda. His strength and imposing presence make him a key member of Flask's whaleboat crew.

Also known as Pippin

First appears in chapter 27

A young Black cabin boy aboard the Pequod. Sensitive, musical, and treated as an outsider by much of the crew, he plays a tambourine during shipboard celebrations and assists with routine work.

Also known as Captain Ahab

First appears in chapter 28

The Pequod's scarred captain, long absent from view after the ship sails. He has lost a leg and walks on a replacement made from whale bone. Commanding and withdrawn, he paces the deck at night and appears consumed by an intense private purpose.

Also known as the White Whale

First appears in chapter 36

An enormous white sperm whale known to whalers for unusual power and ferocity. Ahab identifies him as the whale that destroyed his leg and declares that hunting him, rather than ordinary profit, is the Pequod's true mission.

First appears in chapter 48

A secretive Parsee harpooner who emerges during the Pequod's first lowering with several previously hidden sailors. He commands the harpoon in Ahab's own boat and shares an unusually close, private understanding with the captain.