# Captain MacW⸺ — The Mirror of the Sea character guide

> Captain MacW⸺ in The Mirror of the Sea by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** The good MacW⸺

**First appearance:** 0015-viii

## Who they are

A Scottish shipmaster known for his eccentricities and seamanship.

## In the story

### [The Mirror of the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/the-mirror-of-the-sea)

Mentioned as a good captain who retreats to his stateroom during a gale.

### [Landfalls and Departures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/landfalls-and-departures)

Described as retreating to his stateroom, highlighting the solitary burden of command.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/ii)

Described as a good captain who retreats to his stateroom after departure, communicates through the keyhole, and maintains a mild and friendly tone despite his seclusion.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as 'the old man' of another ship, who never interferes and is satisfied with seamanlike conduct.

### [The Fine Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/the-fine-art)

Referenced as a master of the craft, embodying the principles of fidelity and love of ships.

### [The Weight of the Burden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/the-weight-of-the-burden)

Mentioned as an example of a commander who retreats to his stateroom under the weight of command.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xv)

The captain who treated the narrator's injury and remarked on the ship's rolling.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xvii)

The captain who remarks on the narrow escape from becoming a 'missing' ship.

### [The Grip of the Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/the-grip-of-the-land)

Mentioned as a good captain who, once ashore, becomes entangled in the 'grip of the land' and behaves uncharacteristically.

### [The Character of the Foe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/the-character-of-the-foe)

Mentioned as an example of a seasoned captain who understands the sea's character.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xxiii)

Implied as the 'good MacW⸺' from earlier chapters; the narrator's captain during the gale near Kerguelen Land.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xxvii)

The commander of the ship, portrayed as a proud and psychologically complex master who seeks a suggestion from the narrator to avoid the humiliation of heaving-to with a fair wind.

### [In Captivity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/in-captivity)

Mentioned as a figure of authority whose retreat to his stateroom symbolizes the isolation of command.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Mentioned as the captain of the Duke of S——, whose presence is noted by the watchman.

### [Initiation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/initiation)

Mentioned as a figure of authority during the early days at sea.

### [The Heroic Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/chapters/the-heroic-age)

Mentioned as a representative of the old school of seamen, embodying fidelity to ships.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/characters/captain_macw
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mirror_of_the_sea_se/characters