Ishmael is a reflective, open-minded sailor who suffers from periods of depression he calls the "hypos." Seeking an escape from his melancholy on land, he signs up for a three-year whaling voyage on the Pequod despite having little experience in the trade. He approaches the world with immense curiosity, taking a democratic view of people from different cultures and recording his observations about the science, history, and industry of whaling.

Ahab is the hardened, one-legged captain of the Pequod who isolates himself in his cabin during the early days of the voyage. He lost his leg to a massive white sperm whale and relies on a prosthetic made from polished whale jawbone. He commands absolute obedience from his crew, choosing to repurpose the ship's commercial mission into a personal vendetta against the creature that maimed him.

Starbuck is the chief mate of the Pequod and a pragmatic Quaker from Nantucket. He views whaling as a dangerous but necessary profession to support his family back home, actively avoiding unnecessary risks. He firmly believes that seeking revenge against a dumb animal is blasphemous and represents the primary voice of reason against the captain's obsession.

Queequeg is a highly skilled harpooner and the son of a high chief from the uncharted Polynesian island of Kokovoko. Covered in intricate tattoos and carrying a tomahawk, he initially alarms strangers but quickly proves himself to be courteous, generous, and morally upright. He left his home to learn about Christian society but found people to be essentially the same everywhere.

Moby Dick is an unusually large, albino sperm whale known for his wrinkled brow, deformed jaw, and high intelligence. He is a legendary figure among whalers, reputed to turn and attack ships with purposeful malice rather than simple animal panic.

Stubb is the second mate of the Pequod, characterized by his constant good cheer and unbothered attitude toward the dangers of his profession. He rarely takes his pipe out of his mouth and maintains a fatalistic view of life, believing that whatever happens is meant to be. He uses a mix of humor and shouting to motivate his boat crew during a chase.

Flask is the short, stout third mate of the Pequod, nicknamed "King-Post" for his stubborn build. Unlike Stubb, he harbors a pugnacious, aggressive attitude toward whales, treating them as personal enemies that need to be destroyed. He is entirely literal-minded and shows no fear of the massive creatures he hunts.

Pip is a young, bright-spirited Black cabin boy from Alabama who plays the tambourine to entertain the crew. He is sensitive and easily frightened by the brutal realities of whaling, possessing an emotional vulnerability that contrasts sharply with the hardened sailors around him.

Dagoo is an imposing, African-born harpooner who serves on Flask's boat. He possesses immense physical strength and a quiet, commanding presence that makes the short third mate look even smaller when they stand next to one another.

Fleece is the elderly cook of the Pequod. He suffers from bad joints and poor hearing, and he often finds himself the target of Stubb's demanding and theatrical requests regarding how food should be prepared.

Tashtego is a Native American harpooner from Gay Head, an area famous for producing excellent whalemen. He possesses keen eyesight and quick reflexes, often being the first to spot a whale's spout from the masthead.

Fedallah is a mysterious, South Asian stowaway whom the captain keeps hidden below decks until the first whale hunt. He dresses in dark clothing and possesses an unsettling, primordial demeanor that immediately sparks superstitious rumors among the regular crew.

Captain Peleg is a retired whaler and part-owner of the Pequod. He handles the hiring of the crew and possesses a blustering, swearing exterior that hides a surprisingly charitable approach to negotiating shares of the ship's profits.

Captain Bildad is the other primary owner of the Pequod and a strict, pious Quaker. He speaks in traditional "thee" and "thou" pronouns and is extremely stingy, attempting to pay new sailors the smallest possible fraction of the voyage's profits.

Father Mapple is the vigorous preacher at the Whalemen's Chapel in New Bedford and a former harpooner himself. He climbs a rope ladder into his ship-prow pulpit and delivers dramatic, poetic sermons directly tailored to the spiritual needs of sailors.

Elijah is a local man in Nantucket who bears the outward scars of smallpox. He speaks in cryptic, prophetic fragments and issues vague warnings about the doomed nature of the Pequod's voyage.

Dough-Boy is the Pequod's pale, nervous steward. He is constantly intimidated by the massive appetites and rowdy behavior of the harpooners he must serve at the cabin table.

Perth is the Pequod's elderly blacksmith. He lost his family and his former life on land to alcoholism, leading him to seek refuge in the constant, punishing labor of the ship's forge.

The Carpenter is an unnamed, highly adaptable craftsman on the Pequod. He views the world entirely through the lens of his trade, treating men and their body parts exactly the same as blocks of wood or ship's rigging.

Peter Coffin is the proprietor of the Spouter Inn in New Bedford. He possesses a good sense of humor and places his guests in shared beds, purposefully withholding information about Queequeg's strange appearance for his own amusement.

Aunt Charity is Captain Bildad's sister. She is highly active in the preparation of the Pequod, bustling about the ship to ensure it is properly stocked and equipped for the multi-year journey ahead.