Moby Dick Quotes

“How it is I know not; but there is no place like a bed for confidential disclosures between friends. Man and wife, they say, there open the very bottom of their souls to each other; and some old couples often lie and chat over old times till nearly morning. Thus, then, in our hearts’ honeymoon, lay I and Queequeg—a cozy, loving pair.”

(Chapter 10) (Ishmael)

Analysis

Ishmael makes this observation in Chapter 10. Initially terrified at the prospect of sharing a bed with this tattooed savage, Ishmael overcomes his prejudices and inhibitions, when he notes the gentleness of Queequeg. The homoerotic overtones of sharing a bed, spending the night talking, and smoking suggest a profound kinship, a friendship that is based on an intellectual and emotional understanding of two souls, overriding societal prejudices. The relationship between men on a ship is sometimes stronger than even between a husband and a wife as these men are bound to each other for their lives. This liberal acceptance of a pagan highlights Ishmael’s inherent goodness too.

“What is it, what nameless, inscrutable, unearthly thing is it; what cozening, hidden lord and master, and cruel, remorseless emperor commands me; that against all natural lovings and longings, I so keep pushing, and crowding, and jamming myself on all the time….”

(Chapter 132) (Ahab)

Analysis

As the Pequod’s fatal confrontation with Moby Dick is imminent, Ahab discloses his true state of mind in a rare confession to Starbuck. This highly poetic, Shakespearean language of his speech marks the man as the tragic hero, who is hurtling toward his doom. It is a revelation of Ahab’s innermost feelings, where he acknowledges his softer feelings, wishes almost that he could act otherwise, but is a man stuck in a vortex from where there is no escape. This speech also raises an existential struggle—of free will and fate.

“Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee.”

(Chapter 135) (Ahab)

Analysis

These are Ahab’s final words while he is battling the White Whale to his death. Dramatic and Shakespearean in tone, this speech stresses that even with death staring him at his face, Ahab’s will and defiance remain unabated. This is a man who will not submit to his death. The whale’s victory is inevitable; it will assuredly break Ahab’s body but not his spirit. With his last breath, he curses Moby Dick and his fate. This climactic explosion of theatricality and eloquence is followed by an absolute silence as Moby Dick destroys everything, with only Ishmael surviving.

“Call me Ishmael.”

(Chapter 1) (Ishmael)

“Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian.”

(Chapter 3) (Ishmael)

“Ignorance is the parent of fear.”

(Chapter 3) (Ishmael)

“It is not down on any map; true places never are.”

(Chapter 12) (Ishmael)

“Think not, is my eleventh commandment; and sleep when you can, is my twelfth.”

(Chapter 29) (Stubb)

“Talk not to me of blasphemy, man; I’d strike the sun if it insulted me.”

(Chapter 36) (Ahab)

“The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Over unsounded gorges, through the rifled hearts of mountains, under torrents’ beds, unerringly I rush! Naught’s an obstacle, naught’s an angle to the iron way!”

(Chapter 37) (Ahab)

“All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy Ahab, were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in Moby Dick.”

(Chapter 41) (Ishmael)

“For there is no folly of the beast of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men.”

(Chapter 87) (Ishmael)

“There is a wisdom that is woe; but there is a woe that is madness.”

(Chapter 96) (Ishmael)