Ahab vs. Ahab

I have been thinking about the notion of Ahab, as a character, or even as a person independent of all other preconceived ideas. It was mentioned that this class will be the first time most of us have read the novel, and that given we have heard the story before it will be like a second reading. I feel this was the case with me, as I read I knew basically what would happen, but actually reading it gave it a whole new perspective. This being said Ahab, was known to be as the crazy captain that pursued the white whale, I was unaware of his multiple personalities that seemed to exist in him. Chapter CIX gave me a glimpse of the two Ahab's that existed. After Starbuck confronts him he says, "What's that he said- Ahab beware of Ahab- there's something there!" He is not even fully aware of this double self, yet he does not blatantly deny its existence. As was mentioned in class Ahab is a rehashing of many characters, one being Hamlet, and I think this characteristic is very Hamletish. The idea that Hamlet may or may not be pretending to go mad, relates to Ahab's lack of recognition of his double self. In both cases we as readers have a sense that they know that they might be going insane, but the line gets fuzzier as the story progresses. We see them break down and become desperate for revenge, causing their judgment to become clouded. To be Ahab or not to be Ahab, that's the question, right?