Captain Ahab Essay -- Literary Analysis, Moby Dick, Shakespeare

Captain Ahab sights Moby Dick from afar and continues his hot prosecution on the White Whale. For triple days, a relentless chase occurs because of Ahabs propensity for revenge. The indomitable whale continually destroys boat after boat. During the latter(prenominal) days of the struggle, the whale finally attacks the Pequod, plunging the ship to the bottom pits of the ocean. Determined to get across his final destination, the captain makes a last ditch effort and launches his grab towards Moby Dick. Ironically, Ahabs harpoon catches around his neck and strangles him to death. Obviously mulish to avenge his leg, the Captain causes his confess downfall through his own desire for retribution. In The Tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmark, Shakespeare creates two char bouters, Hamlet and Laertes, who endure a series of events and unveil Shakespeares similar belief that revenge causes superstar to act blindly in anger. Through Shakespeares distinct quarrel and diction, the charact ers motivational factors and personality traits, the write conveys his strong belief regarding the desire for vengeance. art object the actual personality traits and each characters motivations add more(prenominal)(prenominal) depth to Shakespeares overall belief, the language each character incorporates contributes more highly to the conviction revenge causes 1 to act blindly in anger. By analyzing Hamlets use of language throughout the play, one can tell Hamlet is keen on avenging his father, but no heart or effort is put into the action. Speaking in villainy with himself, Hamlet says That I, the son of a dear father murderd, / Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, / Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words, (2.2.584-586). Hamlet uses simile to compare himself to a coward and state that he has no... ...ooms Laertes as it did Hamlet, because it clouds his judgment. His rashness causes him to be easily played by Claudius. Regardless of the fact that Hamlet killed Polonius, Claudius never specified that it was an accident, which could have played a major role in Laertes decision to go along with the Kings plan. Hamlet and Laertes component part much in common with Captain Ahab. All three characters take a similar passion and determination for achieving vengeance, which ultimately results in their own downfall. Plan after plan, harpoon after harpoon, only one goal resonates in their minds to get revenge. Blinded by their desire for vengeance, all three characters act out of personality and cause harm to themselves and those around them. Thus, telling Shakespeares strong notion that the desire for revenge causes one to act blindly, rather than with reason and logic.