Moby-Dick · Character

Captain Bildad

A devout Quaker and retired sea captain, part-owner of the Pequod who haggles over Ishmael's lay.

minor

Also known as Bildad, worthy Captain Bildad, the pious Bildad, old Bildad, Lank Bildad

First appearance: The Ship

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With Captain Peleg (professional): Bildad and Peleg are retired sea captains and co-owners of the Pequod who work together to outfit the ship and hire the crew. With Ishmael (professional): Bildad is a part-owner of the Pequod who interviews and hires Ishmael as a sailor for the voyage. With Captain Peleg (professional): Bildad and Peleg are retired sea captains and co-owners of the Pequod who work together to outfit the ship and hire the crew.

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See Captain Bildad in The Ship

Character Web

11 connections

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Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Secondary and Land Characters
Pequod's Primary Company
Protagonist

+6 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Ahab's psychological obsession reaches its peak, as his purpose becomes an unshakable, domineering force that…

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Relationships

Captain Peleg
professional · ambivalent
Ishmael
professional · ambivalent
Captain Peleg
professional · ambivalent
Captain Peleg
professional · ambivalent
Ishmael
professional · ambivalent

Captain Peleg
Bildad and Peleg are retired sea captains and co-owners of the Pequod who work together to outfit the ship and hire the crew.
Ishmael
Bildad is a part-owner of the Pequod who interviews and hires Ishmael as a sailor for the voyage.
Captain Peleg
Bildad and Peleg are retired sea captains and co-owners of the Pequod who work together to outfit the ship and hire the crew.
Captain Peleg
Bildad and Peleg are retired sea captains and co-owners of the Pequod who work together to outfit the ship and hire the crew.
Ishmael
Bildad is a part-owner of the Pequod who interviews and hires Ishmael as a sailor for the voyage.

Relationship notes

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See Captain Bildad in The Ship

In the story

Captain Bildad appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XIV: Nantucket
Associated with Nantucket as a principal owner of the Pequod; the ship's arrival is at his home port.
The Ship
Mentioned as the other principal owner and co-agent of the Pequod, seated in the cabin during Ishmael's visit.
His Mark
Pious and stern. Questions Queequeg's soul, demands proof of conversion, and gives him a religious tract. Debates Peleg on the role of fear in whaling.
All Astir
Handles purchasing and provisioning, meticulously checking items off a long list of needed articles.
Merry Christmas
Serves as pilot, singing dismal psalmody; is deeply loath to leave the ship, giving a long, anxious, and pious farewell full of practical and spiritual advice.
The Advocate
Implied as part of the Nantucket whaling tradition and its economic foundation.
XLV: The Affidavit
Mentioned indirectly as part of the Nantucket whaling community context for the affidavits and stories.

Chapter companion notes

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See Captain Bildad in The Ship