Friends are often expected to be brutally honest and tell others that what they are doing is wrong, from stealing to stealing exposure to being around a violent person. These are the duties of a friend in modern society, but the same conception of friendship as defensive and saving remains true in 19th century literature. In Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Captain Ahab makes many bad decisions by prioritizing his own selfish revenge over the lives of his crew. Yet he exerts such a dominant presence that it seems impossible for anyone to confront him. Fortunately, however, the two people closest to him, First Mate Starbuck and Sailor Pip, are able to reveal to him that what he is doing is wrong and almost succeed in stopping his revenge. Starbuck, in his argument over the barrels of oil and his moving conversation about family with Ahab, and Pip, in his madness, are both the characters closest to redeeming Ahab's bitter soul and make him return to his evil quest. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Starbuck's dispute over the leaking oil drums almost redeems Ahab from his quest for revenge. While pumping water from the boat, the men discovered that oil was leaking from the drums in which they were stored. Starbuck, the first mate, goes to Ahab's cabin to ask him to temporarily stop the ship so that he can save the boat's water. precious oil, but Ahab vehemently refuses, saying: “[l]et it flow! You always talk to me, Starbuck, about these miserly owners, as if the owners were my conscience… [M]y conscience is in the keel of this ship” (Melville 490). Ahab does not care at all about the Pequod's financial situation, as his main concern during the voyage is catching Moby Dick, not making money from oil. He is so angry that Starbuck even tries to tell him what to do that he points a loaded musket in Starbuck's face and says, "[t]here is a God who is Lord on earth, and a captain who is lord on the earth. Pequod” (Melville 491). By comparing himself to God, Ahab shows his self-centeredness and the near-total control he has over the ship. However, despite Ahab's power, Starbuck's moral compass still encourages him to stand up to him, so Starbuck responds, “I ask you not to distrust Starbuck; but I would just like to laugh; but let Ahab beware of Ahab; take care, old man” (Melville 491). Starbuck’s introspective and courageous words have the desired effect on Ahab, who has a “flash of honesty; or a simple prudential policy which, under the circumstances, imperiously forbade the slightest symptom of open disaffection, even fleeting, in the important chief officer of his ship” (Melville 491). Ahab doesn't want to lose his first mate's respect, so he listens to Starbuck and stops the ship to check for leaks. Starbuck possesses a unique integrity and courage that allows him to stand up to Ahab when no one else will dare, and his ability to extract honesty and respect from within Ahab gives hope that he will perhaps be able to redeem Ahab from his all-consuming monomania and transform him. into a caring captain who wants the best for his ship. Starbuck manages to convince Ahab to follow his path once, giving him hope that he can start again and convincing him to stop the journey altogether. Starbuck continues to try to redeem Ahab, and he almost convinces him to give up. the quest for revenge as they have an emotional conversation about their family..