Billy Budd
Has any work of American literature generated more controversy than Herman Melville's Billy Budd? The main question that Billy Budd generates is whether we should admire or admonish Captain Vere for his decision to sentence Billy Budd to death by public hanging. Most people are alarmed by Captain Vere's decision to order the execution of Billy Budd. Many philosophers have written codes of conduct and the duties of military commanders and their responsibilities regarding the discipline of their men. A commanding officer must have 100% control of his subordinates on caring out his orders in which to accomplish the military power's objective. Many military laws and ideas come from the Chinese philosopher Sun-Tsu and the renaissance writer, Niccolo' Machiavelli. These philosophers have written theories on how to command forces and win battles, maintain control over troops and civilians alike. Both authors are mandatory readings in most military intuitions, but they are also now becoming required readings for many business leaders. Captain Vere's decision to order the death of Billy Budd by hanging was justified in accordance of military law and due to the circumstances of battle. An analysis of the issues of law and justic
What is the difference between a military ruler and a civilian one? Why do the rules for military justice become etched in black and white a room for little interpretation? It almost seems as though military leaders are of a different world than ours. In reality, the life of a military leader is somewhat different than that of a civilian leader. Our democratic system allows for us to challenge the decision making of our elected leaders and to question their judgment. Although our own military justice follows a chain of command, and the response, "I was only following orders" has been found to be unacceptable defense in trials; many commands are expected to be carried out with out question. The theory that some people are "born leaders" maybe true to some extent, however, nearly all good military leaders receive some training and indoctrination on how to think like a leader. Two philosophers that have become required reading for military leaders are Niccolo Machiavelli and Sun-tsu. Niccolo Machiavelli was a philosopher who lived in the Renaissance Era from 1469 to 1527. His book today, The Prince, is still widely read today by business, military, and civilian leaders alike. Niccolo teaches that a leader ought to have no other aim or thought, nor select anything else for his study, than war and its rules and discipline. His teachings stress that a leader who does not understand the art of war cannot be respected by his soldiers or rely on them. (XIV) In chapter XVII, Machiavelli speaks of cruelty and mercy and whether it is better to be loved than to be feared. Niccolo stresses that it is always better to be feared than to be loved by your subordinates. Machiavelli states that... By a dread of punishment which will never abandon you. (XVII) One who makes himself feared because love is held together by a chain of It is obvious that Captain Vere had Billy's love, but with Billy's death by public hanging, Captain Vere's intent was to instill fear and respect for his autho
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Approximate Word count = 1362
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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