A tragedy is defined as a story of the heroic or moral struggle of an individual, culminating in his or her ultimate defeat. Many well-read people will agree that Herman Melville created the American tragic hero, Ahab. Melville provided the commander with the traits of those legendary tragic heroes: greatness, a flaw, and the recognition/downfall.
As one reads Ahab’s inspirational words to his crew, the reader can’t help but to gain a respect for the arrogant, “crazy Ahab”. His dialogue leaves a certain motivation in the reader, as though he or she were apart of the Pequod. Ahab leads his followers into believing that he is the great savior he deems himself to be when the favorable captain proclaims such outbursts as: “I am immortal then, on land and sea!” (Melvil
The captain has a pride that no individual (except maybe Moby Dick) can bring down. “Talk not to me of blasphemy, man; I’d strike the sun if it insulted me,” (157 ) shouted Ahab. This superciliousness is his flaw. Reading a book of mythological stories, one may point out that many of these tales contained a hero that stood up to the gods, even though in the end, most of the “heroes” followed a tragic ending. Often, Ahab would seem to just look up at the skies and challenge the heavens to just bring Moby Dick to him- and let those spirits see exactly what he was capable of!
le 455). The experiences of Ahab only command respect, as he hobbles on the deck with a wooden leg (a daring sacrifice) only for the reason of vengeance. Ahab hates the white whale with a deep pass
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