Answer:
The first mate is the only man aboard the Pequod who resists Ahab's plan to devote the ship's mission to hunting and killing the White Whale. Starbuck contrasts with Ahab in his spirit and manner. Where Ahab is bombastic, outrageous, and monomaniac, Starbuck is prudent, calm, and reasonable. But he lacks Ahab's power. The chief mate argues that the ship's mission, as prescribed by the owners, is to harvest as much whale oil as possible and return home safely, showing a profit. He feels it is "blasphemous"