Why are there two chapters back to back, both called Knights and Squires?

[Stephen]

This book has individual chapter titles for each chapter but there are two back to back with the same chapter title... Knights and Squires.

What is YOUR thinking as to why Melville did that?

[Katie]

That is a good question.
I hadn't really realized that until you posed this question.
First let us look at the definition of knights and squires.
KNIGHTs=noun
plural noun: knights
1.
(in the Middle Ages) a man who served his sovereign or lord as a mounted soldier in armor.
synonyms: cavalier, cavalryman, horseman; More
2.
(in the UK) a man awarded a nonhereditary title by the sovereign in recognition of merit or service and entitled to use the honorific “Sir” in front of his name.
(Dictionary.com)
SQUIRE= (a few different definitions)
The most common definition of “squire” refers to the Middle Ages. A squire was typically a teenaged boy, training to become a knight. a squire was the shield- or armour-bearer of a knight.[1] At times, squires acted as a knight’s errand runner or servant.Boys served a knight as an attendant or shield carrier, doing simple but important tasks such as saddling a horse or caring for the knight’s weapons and armour. The squire would sometimes carry the knight’s flag into battle with his master.A knight typically took his squire into battle and gave him a chance to prove himself. If he proved his loyalty and skill in battle.
(Wikipedia.com, and Dictionary.com)

I just went and skimmed back over those chapters and the first "Knights and Squires", Chapter 26, is all about Starbuck. He played a very riveting role in the last half of the book. He seems the grounding of the story, the 'normal' one with sense. Chapter 26 talks about meager beginnings that are made great by history.
The second "knights and Squires", Chapter 27, tells us of all the other key players; the second mate Stubb ( i really enjoy his character) the one who keeps a grin thoughout life's challenges and a smile in the growl of danger. Small little Flask, who thinks he is bigger and better than he is (hmmm... short man syndrome perhaps??), and of course the natives. He basically shows that the three mates are one in the same yet complete opposites and really level the playing field when all together. And the natives are the same, all different yet somehow combined. Perhaps i'm not making sense. there is more there I just am lacking the words to explain what I'm thinking. You get the jist.
SO yes these chapters are named the same, yet he is showing the "Knights" and the "Squires" and leaving it to the reader to decide just who exactly falls into those names.

[Katie]

I left out, squire is basically an attendee. But really, if the squire wasn't there to hold the knights shield for him, the knight wouldn't be ready for battle.
SO are these men Squires to the three mates, or are the three mates squires to Ahab... are they the ones in battle or the ones carrying the weight for the Knight...? may have to do more pondering. Tricky Melville, Very tricky.

[Feliks]

A knight typically had several men to assist him, yes; plus all the serfs below them (which could be a very large number indeed). All the land-workers and peasants who came to fight under the knight's direction, as foot soldiers. That's where the natives fit in.