Friends are often expected to be brutally honest and tell others that what they're doing is wrong, from shoplifting to dating an abusive person . These are the duties of a friend in modern society, but the same conception of friendship as defensive and saving is valid in nineteenth-century literature. In Herman Melville's Moby Dick, Captain Ahab makes many poor decisions as he prioritizes his own selfish revenge over the lives of his crew, yet he possesses such a commanding presence that it seems impossible for anyone to confront him. Luckily, however, the two people closest to him, the first officer Starbuck and the sailor Pip, manage to reveal to him that what he is doing is not right, and almost manage to stop his revenge. Starbuck, in his dispute over the oil barrels and emotional conversation about family with Ahab, and Pip, in his madness, both come closest of all the characters to redeeming Ahab's bitter soul and forcing him back in his evil quest. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Starbuck's dispute over leaky oil barrels almost redeems Ahab from his vengeful quest. While pumping water out of the boat, the men discover that oil is leaking from the barrels in which they are stored. Starbuck, the first mate, goes to Ahab's cabin to ask him to stop the ship temporarily so they can save the ship. precious oil, but Ahab vehemently refuses, saying, “[l]ake it! You always talk to me, Starbuck, about those miserly owners, as if the owners were my conscience…[M]y conscience is in the keel of this ship” (Melville 490). Ahab doesn't care at all about the Pequod's financial situation because his main concern on the voyage is catching Moby Dick, not making money from oil. He is so angry that Starbuck even attempts to tell him what to do, which puts a loaded musket in Starbuck's face and says, "[t]here is a God who is Lord over the earth, and a Captain who is Lord over the world." Pequod” (Melville 491). By comparing himself to God, Ahab shows his self-centeredness and the almost complete control he has over the ship. However, despite Ahab's might, Starbuck's moral compass always encourages him to stand up to him, so Starbuck responds, “I ask you not to beware of Starbuck; even if you would do nothing but laugh; but Ahab beware of Ahab; beware of yourself, old man” (Melville 491). Starbuck's introspective and courageous words have the desired effect on Ahab, who has a “flash of honesty; or mere prudential policy which, given the circumstance, imperiously forbade the slightest symptom of open disaffection, however transitory, in the important first mate of his ship” (Melville 491). Ahab doesn't want to lose the respect of his first mate, 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 dares, and his ability to draw honesty and respect from within Ahab gives hope that he may be able to redeem Ahab from his all-consuming monomania and transform it instead. into a caring captain who wants the best for his ship. Starbuck manages to convince Ahab to go his way once, giving him hope that he can do it again and convincing him to abort the journey altogether. Starbuck continues to try to redeem Ahab, and almost convinces him to abandon. the vengeful quest as they have an emotional conversation about their families. One night, Ahab is leaning on the railing and thinking about the,.