Moby Dick can be viewed as a tragedy. Webster's Dictionary defines tragedy as a "dramatic composition, dealing with a serious or somber theme, typically that of a great person destined through flaw of character or conflict with some overpowering force, fate or circumstance to downfall or destruction." This describes Moby Dick very well, as we discover as the story unfolds. Ahab, one of the key characters in the novel, can be viewed as the protagonist, one who causes the actions that occur and who brings the story to its tragic conclusion. He is seen as the tragic hero. He is a man distinguished by courage and ability, who is admired for his qualities and achievements. The reader can sympathize, feeling pity and compassion for Ahab. We can understand to some extent the feelings that this man must have experienced and we can relate to them. The villain or antagonist to Ahab is Moby Dick, the White Whale whom Ahab pursues, leading to the death of himself and his crew. This leaves Ishmael as the only survivor to tell the story. Ahab is a deeply disturbed man. He could be viewed as a crazy lunatic. Though crazy as he is, he clearly knows what he wants to do and has a clear plan to do it and carries it out to the end. Ahab can be seen as both the tragic hero and a crazy lunatic.
             The story unfolds in New Bedford, where the narrator Ishmael comes seeking a job on a whaling vessel. In New Bedford he shares a bed at an Inn with a cannibal from New Zealand. The cannibal is a skilled harpooner named Queequeq. Ishmael and Queequeq become immediate friends. The two end up choosing the vessel named The Piquod. One of the two owners, Peleg who they interview with before they are given positions with the ship, describes Ahab as a "...grand, ungodly, god-like man, Captain Ahab; doesn't speak much but when he does speak, then you may well listen." (76) We are told by Peleg that he is "..moody, desper...