Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville's Moby Dick Essay

Religious and Philosophical Aspects in Melville's Moby Dick - Essay Example The two are secluded and remain in isolation with the sole purpose of investigating religious matters around the world. Ahab does not believe in the biblical story of creation in the Garden of Eden. Instead of having a desire for spiritual nourishment, he stays firm and confronts wickedness. The firmness is symbolized by a whale in the book (Melville; pp.178-179) Ishmael perceives Ahab as a weak man who is only after avenging for the sins he committed. Although Ahab professed Christianity, he was just a hypocrite who was only hiding in the masses. On the other hand, another character by the name Starbuck is unsure about how God should be shown respect. Human beings have weaknesses that sometimes disconnect them with their maker. In order to build a relationship, they must overcome their internal emotions and weaknesses and honor their maker. Due to the disrespect, the alluded Adam showed to the maker, he is eliminated from the universe. Unlike Ahab, Ishmael, who observed the teaching s of his maker is blessed immensely (Melville, pp.153-156). The traits demonstrated by the characters in Melville’s work are a clear revelation of his religious beliefs. He uses the Whale to symbolize the nature of God. God has supernatural powers and is both omnipresent and omnipotent. Ahab tries to go against the will of God and tries to collude with Satan. Melville is of the view that those who go against the will of God are likely to be punished severely (Melville, pp.483-484). In the book, a Priest by the name Mapple uses Jonah in as an example of a person who went contrary to the wishes of God. Consequently, the fish swallowed him. According to the priest, we cannot honor God before we honor ourselves (Melville, pp.344-345) Melville advises that we should forego our personal desires for the sake of worshipping the Lord. Ishmael comes out as a character whom God wants human beings to be while Ahab is demonstrated as a disgrace to religion. Ahab practices