Moby Dick characters

Ishmael

The wandering, meditative sailor who narrates the voyage; he ships aboard the Pequod out of restlessness and becomes the tale's sole survivor.

Bonds:QueequegTraveling companionsMobySworn enemiesPelegHiring master

Queequeg

Also known as Quohog

A dignified, warmhearted harpooneer and former South Sea island prince who becomes Ishmael's devoted bosom friend and Starbuck's boat-steerer.

Bonds:StarbuckMate and squireTashtegoBoat crewmatesStubbShipmatesPelegRecruiter and recruit

Captain Ahab

Also known as old man, Old Thunder

The Pequod's grim, monomaniacal commander, consumed by vengeance against the white whale that tore off his leg.

Bonds:MobyHunted adversariesStarbuckCaptain and mateFlaskCaptain and officerFedallahCaptain and agent

Starbuck

The Pequod's earnest, prudent Quaker first mate from Nantucket, the one officer who dares question Ahab's mad pursuit.

Bonds:AhabCaptain and mateQueequegMate and squirePelegCaptain and mateBildadCaptain and mate

Stubb

The Pequod's happy-go-lucky, fearless second mate from Cape Cod, who faces danger with a joke and a pipe.

Bonds:QueequegShipmatesTashtegoMate and squirePipMentor and pupil

Flask

Also known as King-Post

The Pequod's short, pugnacious third mate from Martha's Vineyard, who hunts whales with blunt bravado.

Bonds:AhabCaptain and officerDaggooMate and squirePelegCaptain and officerBildadCaptain and officer

Tashtego

Also known as Tash, Gay-Header

An unmixed Gay Head Indian harpooneer of the Pequod, boat-steerer to Stubb, descended from proud warrior hunters.

Bonds:QueequegBoat crewmatesStubbMate and squireDaggooBoat crewmatesAhabCaptain and harpooner

Daggoo

Also known as Ahasuerus Daggoo

A towering African harpooneer of the Pequod, boat-steerer to little Flask, retaining all his barbaric dignity.

Bonds:TashtegoBoat crewmatesMobyWhale hunterFlaskMate and squire

Fedallah

Also known as the Parsee

Ahab's mysterious, prophetic Parsee harpooneer, a fire-worshipping figure who leads Ahab's secret boat-crew and foretells his doom.

Bonds:AhabCaptain and agent

Pip

Also known as Pippin

The small, gentle African American cabin boy from Connecticut who, abandoned in the vast ocean, loses his wits and becomes a touching companion to Ahab.

Bonds:StubbMentor and pupilStarbuckMate and bell-boy

Moby Dick

Also known as the White Whale

The legendary great white sperm whale, uncannily intelligent and savage, that maimed Ahab and becomes the object of his fatal obsession.

Bonds:AhabHunted adversariesTashtegoWhale hunterDaggooWhale hunterQueequegWhale hunter

Father Mapple

The revered former harpooneer turned chaplain of the New Bedford Whaleman's Chapel, who preaches the storm-tossed sermon of Jonah.

Peleg

A retired Quaker whaling captain and principal owner of the Pequod who signs Ishmael and Queequeg aboard and blusters over the ship's outfitting.

Bonds:BildadCo-ownersAhabShip officersQueequegRecruiter and recruitStarbuckCaptain and mate

Bildad

A pious, thrifty retired Quaker captain and co-owner of the Pequod, forever reading his Bible while driving a hard bargain.

Bonds:PelegCo-ownersAhabShip officersStarbuckCaptain and mateFlaskCaptain and officer

Elijah

A ragged, half-mad stranger on the New Bedford docks who cryptically warns Ishmael and Queequeg about the fate awaiting Ahab's ship.