XV. The Devil

 

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Meaning: Enslavement, temptation. And from A.E. Waite: fatality, that which is predestined but is not for this reason evil.

Depiction: The Devil figure here is Ahab. One hand brandishes his flaming lightning-struck harpoon; the other holds a length of rope which is tied loosely around the necks of the crew of the Pequod, like the chains in the RWS card.  We can distinctly see Queequeg and Ishmael in the front, mirroring the couple on the original card (who are also meant to represent The Lovers).

Text: Chapter 119- The Candles

But dashing the rattling lightning links to the deck, and snatching the burning harpoon, Ahab waved it like a torch among them; swearing to transfix with it the first sailor that but cast loose a rope’s end. Petrified by his aspect, and still more shrinking from the fiery dart that he held, the men fell back in dismay, and Ahab again spoke:—

“All your oaths to hunt the White Whale are as binding as mine; and heart, soul, and body, lungs and life, old Ahab is bound. And that ye may know to what tune this heart beats; look ye here; thus I blow out the last fear!” And with one blast of his breath he extinguished the flame.

Comments: Another card that fits Moby Dick so well. Ahab has the fate of the entire crew in his hands, and he has persuasively bound them to his monomaniacal quest to avenge himself against Moby Dick. The sailors are fatalistic; Ishmael writes his will, Starbuck cannot stir himself to active resistance.