Character guide

Ishmael

major

Also known as Unknown, the stranger, a stranger, the narrator

The narrator and sole survivor of the Pequod's voyage, who signs on for a whaling journey to cure his melancholy.

Captain Ahab

major

Also known as Ahab, wild Ahab, moody stricken Ahab, old Ahab, awful Ahab, dark Ahab, crazy Ahab, L Ahab

The monomaniacal captain of the Pequod, obsessed with hunting the white whale Moby Dick to avenge his lost leg.

Queequeg

major

Also known as Biographical Queequeg, poor Queequeg, Mr. Queequeg, Quohog

A skilled Polynesian harpooner and Ishmael's close friend, known for his tattoos, idol worship, and noble character.

Starbuck

supporting

Also known as Mr. Starbuck, the staid Starbuck, humane Starbuck

The first mate of the Pequod, a prudent and religious Quaker who questions Ahab's dangerous obsession.

Stubb

supporting

Also known as Mr. Stubb, Squires Stubb, choking Stubb, humorous Stubb, Wise Stubb

The second mate of the Pequod, an ever-cheerful and pragmatic man who smokes a pipe and laughs at danger.

Flask

supporting

Also known as Mr. Flask, Little Flask, hilarious little Flask, flaxen-haired Flask

The third mate of the Pequod, a short, pugnacious man who views whales as oversized prey.

Moby Dick

major

Also known as Moby, the White Whale, the Whale, Leviathan

The legendary white sperm whale, famed for his size, cunning, and ferocity, who is the object of Ahab's vengeance.

Fedallah

supporting

Also known as the Parsee, That Parsee, Ahab the Parsee

A mysterious, sinister Parsee harpooner smuggled aboard by Ahab to captain his private whaleboat.

Pip

minor

Also known as little Pip, Poor Pip, base little Pip, Black Little Pip

A young African American cabin boy who goes mad after being left adrift at sea during a whale chase.

Captain Peleg

minor

Also known as Old Captain Peleg, Peleg

A retired sea captain and part-owner of the Pequod, who interviews and hires Ishmael in Nantucket.

Captain Bildad

minor

Also known as Bildad, worthy Captain Bildad, the pious Bildad, old Bildad, Lank Bildad

A devout Quaker and retired sea captain, part-owner of the Pequod who haggles over Ishmael's lay.

Tashtego

minor

Also known as the Gay-Header, mad Gay-Header, Tash

A skilled Native American harpooner from Gay Head, who serves as Stubb's boat-steerer on the Pequod.

Daggoo

minor

Also known as Ahasuerus Daggoo, gigantic Daggoo

A gigantic African harpooner who serves as Flask's boat-steerer on the Pequod.

Elijah

minor

Also known as Mr. Elijah, stationary Elijah, the ragged Elijah

A mysterious, ragged prophet in Nantucket who warns Ishmael and Queequeg about sailing on the Pequod.

Father Mapple

minor

A former harpooner turned preacher in New Bedford, who delivers a powerful sermon on Jonah and disobedience.

Perth

minor

Also known as old Perth

The blacksmith aboard the Pequod, a broken man who forges Ahab's special harpoon for hunting Moby Dick.

The Carpenter

minor

Also known as Carpenter

The pragmatic, unemotional craftsman aboard the Pequod who repairs gear and fashions Ahab's ivory leg.

Dough-Boy

minor

Also known as poor Dough-Boy, Mr. Dough-Boy, hapless Dough-Boy

The timid, pale steward of the Pequod who serves the mates in the cabin.

Fleece

minor

Also known as old Fleece

The elderly, deaf cook of the Pequod whom Stubb lectures on cooking whale steak properly.

Yojo

minor

Queequeg's small black idol, which he consults for important decisions, including choosing a ship.

Mrs. Hussey

minor

The landlady of the Try Pots Inn in Nantucket, who serves Ishmael and Queequeg excellent clam and cod chowder.

Peter Coffin

minor

Also known as Peter, Coffin

The landlord of the Spouter-Inn in New Bedford, who assigns Ishmael to share a bed with Queequeg.

Aunt Charity

minor

Also known as Charity

Captain Bildad's kind-hearted sister, who provides small comforts for the Pequod's crew before departure.

Bulkington

minor

A stoic, experienced sailor Ishmael sees at the Spouter-Inn, who signs on the Pequod shortly after a long voyage.

Gabriel

minor

A deranged Shaker prophet aboard the Jeroboam who claims Moby Dick is the incarnation of the Shaker God.

Captain Boomer

minor

The jovial, one-armed English captain of the Samuel Enderby, who lost an arm to Moby Dick but bears no grudge.

Dr. Bunger

minor

Also known as Bunger, Johnny, Jack Bunger

The surgeon of the Samuel Enderby, who humorously describes extracting the iron from Captain Boomer's arm.

Captain Gardiner

minor

The distressed captain of the Rachel, who begs Ahab to help search for his son lost in a whaleboat chase.

Steelkilt

minor

Also known as Steelkilt Charlemagne, Charlemagne, the Lakeman

A rebellious, defiant sailor in the story of the Town-Ho, who leads a mutiny against the mate Radney.

Radney

minor

Also known as the incensed Radney, Mr. Radney

The cruel, unpopular mate of the Town-Ho, whose conflict with Steelkilt leads to a fatal encounter with Moby Dick.

Captain Mayhew

minor

Also known as Mayhew

The captain of the Jeroboam, whose authority is undermined by the mad prophet Gabriel aboard his ship.

Derick De Deer

minor

Also known as Captain Derick De Deer, Derick

The captain of a German whaler, the Jungfrau, whose empty ship is outrun and out-hunted by the Pequod.

Captain Sleet

minor

Also known as the Sleet

An English whaling captain and author humorously cited in a chapter discussing the whale's spout.