The Pursuit of Moby Dick - Game Script Obey or Rebel


Background

It is 1820. You are in the ship Pequod under the commander of Captain Ahab. The mission is a whales hunting; their valuable fat is a great promise for significant profit.

But it soon becomes apparent that you are in a conflict:

The captain, Ahab, said he must demand a change in the purpose of the journey. He argued that he must chase Moby Dick, a giant white whale that few years earlier caused him to lose his leg. Ahab claims that pride is more important than money. He must kill Moby Dick, it’s a matter of saving his face and save profession.   

In contrast, Starbuck, the first mate, opposed the idea. He says we are here to make a living and not to endanger ourselves for saving his face.

Who will you support?

Each one of you is tasked with a different opinion. Share it to others and try to reach an agreement.

Characters

Ishmael Sailor

Sailor onboard the hunters ship Pequod. A lonely, orphan young man that seeks adventure


Your Task

Ishmael, you arrived to the Pequod because you are orphan, lonely and resource less. Your main goal is to find company and adventures - and make some money. You want to return to shore safely.


Resources

Scene - 01

Starbuck First mate

First mate of the whaling ship Pequod is a thoughtful guy, cautious and a member of Quakers religious community  ... he came to the ship to work and earn a tidy sum.


Your Task

Starbuck, you're an officer of the ship, with extensive experience in whales hunting. You see Ahab risking it all due to morbid obsession. He runs a battle against the nature forces as well as God. You do not hesitate to express your objection, but you're not sure you can convince your friends on a journey to support you on that.


Resources

Scene - 01

Stubb Second mate

Skilled and experienced whaling men.   A Happy person by nature that believes in fate, and therefore is not concerned about the dangers. Nevertheless, in a pinch remembers to pray to God… just in case…

 His distinguished mark is his eternal pipe.


Your Task

Stub, you're an old officer and the ship commander. You are indifferent to danger and makes fun of it. You do not take anything too seriously. You enjoy the excitement of the pursuit of Moby Dick! What an adventure!


Resources

Scene - 01

Flask Third mate

Flask is a third captain of the Pequod. He is short, sturdy and solid with a combative nature. He takes lost to whales as a personal insult, and Scrappy with them.


Your Task

Flask, you see in any whale a personal enemy. You went happily to the journey to hunt whales. You understand Ahab and support him. He is a real man!


Resources

Scene - 01

Ahab The captain of the Pequod

The captain of the Pequod. Stormy man, charismatic and impressive, with extensive experience in whales hunting. Lost his leg during a failed attempt to hunt down Moby Dick, a giant white whale. Has become the pursuit of Moby Dick an obsessive vendetta.


Your Task

Ahab, your goal is very clear: to avenge the giant white whale that made you lose your leg and left you with a scarred body and soul!

You expect the crew to support you and be faithful to you to the end. It's a man's world, not of a world of cowards!


Resources

Scene - 01

Scene 1: The pursuit after Moby Dick


1.

Public Message

The captain, Ahab, is demanding to change the purpose of the journey and chase Moby Dick, a giant white whale that few years ago caused him to lose his leg and fled.

Ahab claims that honor is more important than money. He must kill Moby Dick in order to save his honor and his profession!

In contrast, Starbuck, the first mate, opposes it. We are here, he says, to make a living and not to endanger ourselves for nothing.

Who do you support?

Each one of you has a different opinion. Share it to others and try to reach an agreement.


2.

Private (Shortly After previous message)

Ishmael :

Ishmael, you have joined the boat because you were lonely and wanted new experiences, and some money. You did not think that the purpose of the journey will be chasing Moby Dick ... Ahab seems to you like a dangerous man...

 

Your task is to convince your friends to the crew that your goal is to get whales fat and sell it when you return to a safe haven.

Starbuck:

Starbuck,

You have joined the journey to hunt whales and sell their fat to make money. It quickly became apparent that Ahab has other plans: to chase Moby Dick in order to achieve revenge.

Your task is to convince the staff that this is a dangerous adventure.

Stubb:

Stub,

You have joined the journey to hunt whales and sell their fat to make money. It quickly became apparent to you that Ahab has other plans: to chase Moby Dick in order to achieve revenge.

The pursuit of Moby Dick seem to you like an adventure worth risking for ... You think Ahab is a man's man, and everyone should join him.

Your task is to convince others to join ...

Flask :

Flask,

You have joined the journey to hunt whales and sell their fat to make money. It has quickly become apparent to you that Ahab has other plans: to chase Moby Dick in order to achieve revenge.

You are not afraid of the danger; on the contrary, you enjoy it. For you, every whale is an enemy that should be pursued to death. You like Ahab's plan...

Your task is to convince others to join Ahab and support him ...

Ahab:

Ahab,

You cannot forget Moby Dick, the giant white whale that caused you to lose a leg and left you with a scarred body ... with all due respect to money that can be gained by hunting whales, a real man must first defend his honor!

You will convince the entire crew to join you, no matter what the price of it.

Your task is to convince the crew to be united in supporting you!


3.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

There is severe leak from oil tanks! Starbuck claims tanks must fix, even if will lead to delaying the pursuit of Moby Dick.

Ahab adamantly refused any delay and requires Starbuck to obey him. He threatens him with a gun to ensure continuing the journey as planned.

What do you think? Who is right?


4.

Private (a while after previous message)

Ishmael :

Ahab seems to you a little crazy, but he's the captain and therefore must be obeyed ... Starbuck, however, making sense...

Who you choose?

Starbuck:

Starbuck, Men are rational creatures. You must appeal to their logic: oil tanks must be fix, therefore we should go head to the harbor

Stubb:

Stub, real man doesn't recoil danger! Hunting must go on!

Flask :

Flask, whales are wild creatures which man should control. Hunting must go on!

Ahab:

Ahab, leaks in tanks are just a small obstacle on the way the great goal: control the wild and restore dignity to man! The hunt must go on at all costs!


5.

Public Message (a while after previous message)

Terrible typhoon storm is coming! The sails were torn one after the other!

Starbuck demands to fix them and sail with the wind - to the port!

Ahab demands to continue as planned, with torn sails, following Moby Dick!

What is your opinion? Try to convince the others ...


6.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

You find out that Starbuck consider to kill or imprison Ahab. He argues that the captain is insane and dangerous.

Should he take command of the ship instead of Ahab, or should he continue to obey the Capitan like all crewmembers should do? 

What is your opinion?


Vote

The journey is becoming dangerous by the minute. Should I listen to Starbuck and support his request to return to the port, or should I obey Ahab and continue the pursuit of Moby Dick?

Please vote according to your personal opinion.



Option 1
Support Starbuck: go back to port
Option 2
Support Ahab: continue pursue

Ending message for when most people voted for option



Option 1

You made a decision to support Ahab and continue chase Moby Dick Despite the danger


Option 2

You made a decision to support Ahab and continue chase Moby Dick Despite the danger



Discussion Points

  1. Vengeance and its consequences: Does it returns the lost honor or inevitably leads to total destruction?
  2. Nature and Man - Is this a fight between two great powers, or there should be a way to live together? How?
  3. Does a person's destiny is determined in advance (e.g. feelings of vengeance dictates Ahab chase Moby Dick to death), or do we have the choice which way to choose?
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