Queen of Swords

Meaning: Honest, independent, principled person. (Labyrinthos)

Depiction: Starbuck stands in front of a row of oil casks, some liquid on the floor evidencing a leak. He holds a lance in his hand and one arm is outstretched protectively.

Text: Chapter 109 - Ahab and Starbuck in the Cabin
For an instant in the flashing eyes of the mate, and his fiery cheeks, you would have almost thought that he had really received the blaze of the levelled tube. But, mastering his emotion, he half calmly rose, and as he quitted the cabin, paused for an instant and said: “Thou hast outraged, not insulted me, sir; but for that I ask thee not to beware of Starbuck; thou wouldst but laugh; but let Ahab beware of Ahab; beware of thyself, old man.”

Comments: Not pictured in the card, but this is the scene when Ahab points a loaded musket at Starbuck for having the audacity to tell him they have to remove all the barrels of oil from the cargo hold in order to fix the leak. But here Starbuck is courageous enough to hold firm, and Ahab actually backs down.