The ambition of this short literary essay is two-fold. Firstly, it aims to briefly explore some of the literary sources used to shape and create Herman Melville’s 1851 novel, Moby Dick. A multitude of literary sources could be suggested to influence Melville’s work but the principle works focused upon in this discussion are William Shakespeare’s tragic play Macbeth and John Milton’s epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’. By drawing upon linguistic and symbolic parallels present between Moby Dick and these two works, the essay aims to show how Melville alludes to classical sources to create a refreshingly modern piece of work. The second goal of the essay is to explore in greater detail Melville’s use of language in ‘Moby Dick.’ Several critics have noted in past discussion that Moby Dick’s triumph lies embedded in its sophisticated verse, with Richard Brodhead crediting a large portion of the novel’s greatness to be owed to the author’s powerful command on the English language. With this view in mind, the essay examines some of Melville’s own linguistic accomplishments in order to decide whether “more persistently than anything else – more persistently than it is the heroic, or philosophic, or whatever – Moby-Dick is a book in love with language” (Brodhead, 1986).
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction and Literary Sources
3. Influence of William Shakespeare
4. Influence of John Milton
5. The Power and Limitations of Language
6. Analysis of Cetological Descriptions
7. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This essay explores how Herman Melville utilizes linguistic and symbolic parallels from William Shakespeare’s 'Macbeth' and John Milton’s 'Paradise Lost' to craft the modern literary complexity of 'Moby Dick', ultimately arguing that the novel is defined by its deep engagement with the creative and destructive powers of language.
- The influence of Shakespearean tragedy on Melville’s characterization and narrative structure.
- Miltonic parallels regarding the fall of the protagonist and the use of serpentine imagery.
- The function of comedic interlude in balancing dramatic tension.
- The deconstruction of meaning within the "cetological" chapters of the novel.
- Language as both a constructive and destructive tool in Melville's prose.
Excerpt from the Book
This short excerpt from Herman Melville’s 1851 novel Moby Dick perhaps does not occupy position amongst the most remarkable of lines to be taken from Melville’s most celebrated work.
Typically, past discussion concerning the tale of the diabolically passionate Captain Ahab in his monomaniac quest to destroy the notorious White Whale has been more dedicated toward exploring larger passages of the text in order to assess the literary inspirations resting behind its formation. Yet, in these two short sentences, I believe that Melville is able to effectively allegorize the literary spirit of his own creation. Within the context of the novel, these lines are simply intended to outline the appearance of Ahab’s ill-fated ship, the Pequod.
However, out-with their familiar literary setting, they can be taken as an appropriate metaphor for Melville’s work in its entirety. Moby Dick presents a novel constructed from an array of classical materials and literary forms, which form the base of its figurative framework. By compounding a variety of classical works into the textual space of Moby Dick alongside a modern adventure, Melville successfully adorns ‘old antiquities’ with ‘new and marvelous features’ to produce an exceptional piece of work which paradoxically both ‘reflects, and yet transcends, genre’.
Summary of Chapters
Abstract: Outlines the essay's goal to examine the literary influences of Shakespeare and Milton on 'Moby Dick' and to analyze Melville's mastery of language.
Introduction and Literary Sources: Establishes the focus on the thematic and stylistic parallels between 'Moby Dick' and classical works, introducing the primary research perspective.
Influence of William Shakespeare: Analyzes the structural and character-driven allusions to 'Macbeth' and 'Romeo and Juliet' within the narrative of the novel.
Influence of John Milton: Explores the connection between the fall of Ahab and the fall of Satan in 'Paradise Lost', highlighting shared stylistic and symbolic elements.
The Power and Limitations of Language: Critically discusses the author's argument that 'Moby Dick' is defined by its exploration of the creative and destructive potential of words.
Analysis of Cetological Descriptions: Investigates the complex, scientific, and humorous narrative layers within the cetological chapters to reveal the novel's philosophical limitations.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the arguments to present 'Moby Dick' as a timeless masterpiece that balances classical tradition with innovative, modern narrative techniques.
Keywords
Herman Melville, Moby Dick, William Shakespeare, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Macbeth, Cetology, Narrative Style, Figurative Framework, Literary Influence, Philosophy of Language, Captain Ahab, Symbolic Structure, Modernism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this essay?
This essay investigates the literary origins of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick', focusing specifically on how he incorporates works by Shakespeare and Milton to shape his unique style.
What are the main thematic fields discussed?
The core themes include the use of classical literary sources, the characterization of Captain Ahab, the function of comedy within tragedy, and the philosophical exploration of the power of language.
What is the central research question?
The essay aims to determine whether 'Moby Dick' should be viewed primarily as a book in love with the powers of language—both creative and destructive—rather than just a narrative of sea-faring adventure.
Which scientific or literary methods are applied?
The author uses comparative literary analysis, examining textual parallels, linguistic echoes, and symbolic imagery between 'Moby Dick' and the works of Shakespeare and Milton.
What does the main body cover?
It provides a detailed study of allusions to 'Macbeth', comparisons to 'Paradise Lost', an analysis of comedic interlude, and an examination of the "cetological" chapters.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include 'Moby Dick', 'literary influence', 'Shakespeare', 'Milton', 'language', 'symbolism', and 'narrative deconstruction'.
How does the author relate Ahab to Shakespearean tragedy?
The author connects Ahab’s monomaniacal quest for power and his subsequent social alienation to the over-ambitious, tragic figures found in Shakespeare’s plays, specifically referencing 'Macbeth'.
What is the significance of the "cetological" chapters?
These chapters are interpreted not just as scientific accounts of whales, but as a space where Melville uses layered jokes and puns to demonstrate the failure of language to fully capture the 'essence' of his subject.
- Quote paper
- Lindsey McIntosh (Author), 2014, 'Old Antiquities and New Features'. Melville's Style and Literary Influences in 'Moby Dick', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/306203
