There are three main characters in Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor: Billy Budd, John Claggart, and Captain Vere. ... Captain Vere is a more complex character, and much harder to be defined or stereotyped. ... It is noteworthy that in Melville's works pallor or whiteness generally symbolizes potential evil. ... According to Melville, Claggart's hatred for Billy Budd or inner evil derives from the alleged natural depravity. ... Its thematic richness largely comes from the complex relationship between the three main characters. ...

• Word Count: 718
• Approx Pages: 3
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Such as Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Benito Cereno by Herman Melville. ... The character that signifies Rousseau" theory of the Noble Savage is Victor Frankenstein's creature. ... Another example of the origins of evil would be Herman Melville's Benito Cereno. ... The characters that closely represent Hobb's theory would be Babo and the slaves. ... Therefore the stories of Herman Melville's Benito Cereno and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein discussed the origins of evil through Rousseau's and Hobb's theories....

• Word Count: 596
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

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

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