Moby Dick Paper

In the year 1891, Herman Melville, of New York City, New York, passed away, saddening a wide and diverse fan base that extended across the globe. His works can be enjoyed whether your 6 or 60, relating to everyone because his books involve real people with flaws and downfall, and basic human emotion.

Melville was an exceptional author, influenced greatly by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne influenced Melville in such a way, it inspired him to rewrite Moby Dick, which was later inscribed to Hawthorne as a token of Melville's admiration for his genius.

The three works, Moby Dick, Billy Budd, and Benito Cyrano, all written by Herman Melville, have unique qualities and characters that all differ greatly. Although they all take place on ships at sea, you will also notice that the protagonist characters, Captain Delano, Captain Benito Cereno, Captain Ahab, and Billy Budd, appear to have very similar qualities, all of which that are entailed in every man which are strengths and weaknesses along with desire and flaws. These subtle qualities shows Melville's signature for his distinct writing making for all these stories to be considered among the greatest works of literature.

In Benito Cyrano There were two protagonists, Captain Delano and Captain Benito Cereno. Captain Delano obvious weakness may have been his behavior aboard the ship, The San Dominick. He proved to be too good-natured, and way to easily dismissing any thought of foul play. This may have also been his strength, for if he had noticed such plans to over throw the ship, he would have been easily killed.

Throughout the story, an explanation seemed to be the only thing on Captain Delano mind. He was unsure by what he saw aboard the ship and couldn't figure out what was going on.

He ordered his men to board Cereno's ship and put a stop to the slave's rebellion after Cereno was rescued, and also made sure that Babo and Atufal were put on trial and punished. The character of Amasa Delano, at first glance, seemed heroic, was also flawed, though it was his weakness that saved him, as many characters are in Melville's writing.

Benito Cereno, captain of the San Dominick, appears to be a weak and unstable, constantly fainting. He does not seem at all strong and seems very suspicious, but, fortunately, did not panic when approached by Captain Delano and by staying strong and maintaining his calm; playing a big role in saving both their lives.

Cereno's weakness is the biggest flaw though. When held hostage, Cereno had an "excuse" to be weak, but even after the overthrow, he did not become much stronger. Cereno is weak, also, because after Babo's execution, he passed away.

In Moby Dick, the protagonist of the story is Ahab. In the beginning, he appeared a strong and just captain. He seemed very competent and his only flaw seemed to be his over confidence as captain. But as the story progress you start to seem him take a turn for the worse.

Losing his leg to Moby Dick while set sail once before, during this currant voyage he becomes determined in his pursuit of the whale. Ahab uses his natural charisma and terror to have his crew join him.

He runs a strict but fair ship, and even shows a compassionate side.

It seems that only one fatal flaw caused for such a tremendous downfall, turning a passion into and obsession. His over confidence causes him to ignore common sense and believe that it is his duty to overthrow this evil that lurks the water. From another point of view, though, this white whale, Moby Dick, may actually be a representation of god, all powerful and cannot be overthrown or even understood. This whale that is the main point of focused is rarely ever seen making it the unknown and magnificent, and when it does surface, it is a powerful moment and all stop and focus on it. In turn, Captain Ahab being the evil one.

But he does mean well, as you notice the care he takes of pip, as the rest of the crew just brushes him aside, being that he is just a useless black boy aboard a whaler's ship, and has no business there. It is hard, though, to tell if it is kindness or insanity