Final answer:
After Spender's death, the captain will probably reflect deeply and question his mortality and decisions, as implied by the theme of struggle and destiny in the text.
Step-by-step explanation:
The passage indicates that after Spender's death, the captain is likely to experience a period of deep reflection and possibly question his own mortality and decisions, as we can infer from the overall theme of struggle and contemplation of fate within the sources provided. Given the existential crises faced by the characters in the situation, the captain may consider the futility of their circumstances and contemplate the nature of life and death. This is demonstrated by the captain's earlier discussions of their dire situation and interactions with his men regarding the potential outcomes of their struggles at sea.