IntroductionThe theme of free will vs. fate plays an important role in Moby Dick. One's destiny can be described as the path of events in one's life that unfolds and cannot be changed. However, in Moby Dick, the characters' end outcome can best be described as being decided by the choices they made while exercising their free will. The characters are in control of themselves, and the events that unfold are simply the result of their decisions and those of those around them. As illustrated in Moby Dick, the events that occur in a person's life are the result of the exercise of free will by themselves and those around them, and the decisions that are made while doing so. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In Moby Dick, Captain Ahab is described as having one goal in mind: to kill Moby Dick, and as he exercises his free will, he decides that he must track down the white whale. He uses the fact that he is the captain of a whaling ship trying to profit as a cover for himself to track down the whale that took his leg. He is mostly indifferent to his duties as captain of a whaling ship and hunting whales for a profit as he really only cares about tracking down Moby Dick. This goal of finding Moby Dick directly affects everyone aboard the Pequod as they weren't sure what they were getting themselves into when they decided to come aboard. The first time Ahab officially addresses the crew, he says “it was Moby Dick who dismasted me; Moby Dick that led me to this dead log that I'm on now. [..] it was that damned white whale that razed me to the ground; made me a poor idiot forever and a day! […] I will chase him around Good Hope, and around the horn […] before I give him up” (Melville, Moby Dick, 144). Ahab takes Moby Dick's wound personally and believes it is a sign that it is his destiny to find and kill the whale. Although he believes it is his destiny, he exercises his free will and decides that he will do anything in his power to kill the white whale, regardless of what it costs him or those around him. Unlike Ahab, the Captain of the Samuel Enderby states: “I didn't want to try; Isn't one limb enough? What am I supposed to do without this other arm? And I think Moby Dick doesn't bite so much as swallow” (Melville 394). Like Ahab, the ship's other captain also lost a limb to Moby Dick. Even though he has lost a limb, the other captain tries his best to avoid the white whale because he doesn't want to have a similar experience again. By saying that the whale does not bite but swallows, he alludes to the idea that the whale's attack was not personal but rather part of the whale's nature. He doesn't believe in whaling and he certainly doesn't believe killing them is part of his destiny. On the other hand, Ahab is fully committed to killing Moby Dick even at the expense of his own life and that of the crew. He demonstrates this when he exclaims “Death to Moby Dick! God haunt us all if we do not hunt Moby Dick to the death!” (Melville 148). Ahab exercises his free will to make the decision to hunt down Moby Dick, regardless of the costs. This decision begins the chain of events that will ultimately lead to everyone on the Pequod except Ishmael dying. Similar to Ahab, Ishmael and Queequeg both exercise their free will and make decisions throughout the story that directly impact the events that unfold in their lives. The decision to enroll at Pequod was made by both of them by free choice.Ishmael and Queequeg are approached by a stranger who asks them if that is their ship. Ishmael responds with “'Yes' […] 'we just signed the articles'” (Melville 82). The stranger then goes on to state, “'Nothing down there concerning your souls?'” (Melville 82). This stranger alludes to the idea that by signing up to Pequod, they are doing more than they initially thought. By mentioning that they are signing their soul, he alludes to the idea that their lives will now be intertwined with Ahab and the Pequod. If Ishmael and Queequeg had not made the decision not to board a whaling ship, or if they had made the decision to board a different ship, the events that would have occurred and ultimately led to Queequeg's death would not have happened. Ishmael and Queequeg make decisions together that have a major impact on both of them. From the beginning of the story, Ishmael and Queequeg share a very close bond. This bond is best illustrated when Ishmael states: “I seemed to perceive distinctly that my individuality was now fused into a joint venture of two: that my free will had received a mortal wound; and that the mistake or misfortune of another might throw an innocent me into disaster and undeserved death” (Melville 287). Ishmael refers to how he is tied to Queequeg as Queequeg is on the whale's floating body as it tries to attach a hook. Since he is tied to Queequeg, he would also be carried into the water if Queequeg fell. This makes a mistake on either end dangerous for both. While it seems like fate takes over at this point as both are at the mercy of each other and outside forces like water and potential sharks, they have both made the decision to be in this position together. Since they made the decision to work together of their own free will and know exactly the situation they find themselves in, the events that unfold are not left to chance, and therefore cannot be considered fate. Similar to how both Ishmael and Queequeg make decisions that impact the events that unfold, Starbuck exercises his free will to make decisions that have the potential to completely alter the course of his life. Starbuck is able to understand the situation he is in better than the other characters. He knows what the outcome of being on Ahab's ship might be as he states, “My soul is more than equaled; it is overcrowded; and by a madman! What an unbearable sting that sanity should lay arms on such a field! But he dug deep and blew away all my reason! I believe I see his wicked end; but I feel I must help him do it” (Melville 150). Starbuck knows that Ahab is a madman and that his soul belongs to him as long as he remains on the ship. He believes that the end of this journey will not end well for anyone, yet he feels no need to act at this point. Starbuck feels as if Ahab took his reasoning from him because he knows what the outcome of this journey could be. He feels like he has to help Ahab on his journey to find Moby Dick even though he knows Ahab is a madman. He exercises his free will by deciding to accompany Ahab on the journey. Starbuck eventually reaches a point where he must make a decision whether or not to kill Ahab. As the story progresses, Starbuck continues to be uneasy about Ahab and the journey he is leading the crew on. This uneasiness reaches its peak when Starbuck is on the verge of killing Ahab. Toward the end of the story, Starbuck holds a musket near Ahab as he sleeps and says, "But will this crazy old man be allowed to drag a whole company of ships ashore to die with him?" […] And then I would be a murderer if – and slowly, furtively,.