Billy Budd

A detailed Summary of Billy Budd


As portrayed in the Bible, Adam and Eve were the perfect human species. This was only a result because of their complete innocence. God let them remain in his presence because of this reason. After the devil conned them into eating fruit from the Tree of Good and Evil they became unclean. In Herman Melville's Billy Budd the question this apparent: Is innocence and ignorance dominant over knowledge and power?

To emphasize the importance of this theme, Melville uses the character Billy Budd. Aboard the ship, the Rights-of-Man, Billy is a cynosure among his shipmates. He also becomes a leader by setting an example by his innocent ways. He is later transferred to the Indomitable. After waving goodbye to his shipmates, he salutes the ship saying "And good-by to you too, old Rights-of-Man" (11). Many witnessed this event to be ungrateful to the Indomitable and his role as a mem


Thus, the question remains, innocence or knowledge? Claggart, is obviously representing evil, the corruption of life, and the struggles one faces everyday. He is the obstacle Billy must conquer, proving that Billy's life would have been easier if he had chosen the path of experience and wisdom. Only through virtue and morals can one rise about the evil and make an impact on the lives of others. Even after Billy's death his legend and innocence will live on. He was a true representative of life under total goodness and without the challenge Claggart put out, Billy might not have proved to the world greatness is an important factor in ones everyday life.

After much turmoil, Claggart decides to approach Captain Vere about Billy, accusing him of conspiring to mutiny. Captain Vere is overwhelmed by this information and does not believe what he is hearing. However, to keep th

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Approximate Word count = 598
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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