Voltaire in this regard could be said, at least in Melville's views, to embody a nave view of the human condition, which is comparable to the nave innocence of Billy Budd. ... Melville p. 5) This indicates that Billy is intended to serve as a representative of an unfallen and uncorrupted man, such as Adam was before the fall. ... Billy, as Melville presents him, is indeed a person of admirable character, but his very nobility prevents him from adjusting satisfactorily to the demands of a civilization, which may well be corrupt, as Rousseau maintains it is, but which also embodies law, ...

• Word Count: 1389
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

His innate wickedness is causeless, Melville suggests that he was born evil "In whom was the mania of an evil nature...but born with him and innate, in short a depravity according to nature-(Melville 38). ... With the development of these two characters, the author presents us with the climax of the novel, where Claggart is out to destroy Billy Budd. ... The third conflicting character in the novel is presented to us as a man of extreme intellect, and who follows the letter of the law. ... Vere does not dislike Billy and is aware that claggart had lied because he states "It is the divine judge...

• Word Count: 692
• Approx Pages: 3

Melville describes Claggart as a man with an inborn evil, in contrast to being influenced by an evil society. Claggart is presented as a man with a personality and character that contrasts and conflicts with Billy's sweet innocence and ignorance. ... As the plot progressed, Melville constantly gave insights and emphasis on representing Claggart as evil. ... Melville portrays Billy Budd almost as a satisfied, Claggart is jealous. ... Melville vividly describes Billy's death with so many details that it can almost exactly be compared to the death of Christ. ...

• Word Count: 407
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Many themes relating to the conflict between Good and Evil can be found in Herman Melville's novella Billy Budd, Foretopman. ... He has been compared by Melville to Tecumseh and Titus Oates, and with his background being unknown, Melville makes his character appear even more evil to the reader (Bloom, Critical Views 207). ... His evil flaw is easily enraged by the fact that Billy is a natural and admirable peacemaker, changing his character from the enforcer to the destroyer of peace. He has been described as a "Jekyll and Hyde" character, changing personalities from good to...

• Word Count: 1646
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

In Herman Melville's novel, Billy Budd, symbolism, characterization, and irony are put to use to develop the dramatic contrast between good and evil. ... Billy portrays a very pure Christ-like character before his demise. ... Not only using symbolism, Melville also uses characterization to contrast good and evil. ... Besides from the use of characterization and symbolism, Melville uses irony to portray the battle of good versus evil. ... It is ironic that Billy, this innocent Christ like character loses his composure and ultimately does something evil. ...

• Word Count: 671
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Billy Budd, by Herman Melville is an allegory; because the characters represent abstract qualities. ... The classic battle between innocence and evil comes alive with symbolism in Herman Melville's allegory, Billy Budd, with Billy Budd, Captain Vere, and Claggart being portrayed as Jesus Christ, God, and Lucifer. ...

• Word Count: 995
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School