Ahab and Oedipus

While reading these last chapters, I began to realize a great amount of symbolism and connection to classic Greek mythology and drama.  This comparison even seems to be acknowledged by Melville, who writes a number of chapters, such as Chapter 108, in a fashion very similar to that of a dramatic play.  The Greek drama that I found to best exemplify Moby-Dick is the story of Oedipus that is well-known in Greek drama.  First off, both of the main characters are stung by a fatal flaw: their own hubris and blind arrogance.  Their lives are characterized by defiance to a prophecy that they have long known and avoided, but in the end their actions have only wrapped the noose around their neck even tighter.  The most significant connection that I noticed, though, occurred when Fedallah related his own prophecy to Ahab, who subsequently turned around and falsely interpreted it through his own vision and perspective by taking Fedallah’s words to mean that he would be hanged by hemp on land, even though the ship is full of the material.  I also found Ahab’s destruction of the ship’s navigational tools to be especially significant, as he built his own compass in response; a compass that would lead them by the will of Ahab rather than by nature.  This act, in essence, is Ahab attempting to dictate his own free will, just as Oedipus had done in his own time.  In continuation, Ahab threatens his second mate, Starbuck, when Starbuck attempts to compel him to act with reason, just as Oedipus had with Kreon. 

As the plot intensifies and continues, Ahab’s demeanor takes a noticeable turn and he even gives up his concept of free will by calling himself “Fate’s lieutenant” in Chapter 134.  This is similar to Oedipus’ acceptance of his fate when he blinds himself, something that is mimicked by Ahab continuing to face the whale even though it is apparent that he shall not survive the interaction.