Furthermore, towards the end of the novel Ahab realizes that fate is forcing him to continue despite having reasons to avoid the "final confrontation which he knows to be the hopeless" ( Walcutt, 4). In a moment of despair he asks" what is it, what nameless, inscrutable, unearthly thing is it; what cozening hidden lord and master, and cruel, remorseless emperor commands me; that against all natural lovings and longings, so keep I pushing, and crowding, and jamming myself on all the time?"(Melville(1),493).
The answer, is fate and Ahab realizing this tells Starbuck," By heaven man, we are turned round and round in this world, like yonder windlass and Fate is the handspike "( Melville (1), 493). Billy Budd is also an instrument of fate. Billy strikes Claggart and as he lays there dying on the floor the first words Captain Vere utters are " fated boy" (Melville(2), 72). Fate led Billy to his death; he was the only crewman impressed from the Rights of Man and he "made no demur" at being singled out (Melville(2), 3 ) One critic notes that " Billy's demise is brought about by a combination of his own weaknesses and evil influences that fate has decided to pit against his innate goodness" ( Phillips , 10 ) . Indeed one cannot help but see that a clash between the evil Claggart and Baby Budd as inevitable. The reader is witness to a chain of events ; from the impressment, to the soup incident , to the lies of Claggart that lead up to the inevitable death of Billy; as one critic noted " Melville constructed this novel with the inevitability of fate itself"( Gunn, 4). The conclusion of the novel though quite sad is in no way surprising as Melville makes it clear from the beginning that Billy is destined to be the victim of evil.
Obsession plays an important role in both novels as it is out of obsession that Ahab chases the white whale and Claggart chases Billy until their respective deaths.
The poem is ironic because Billy Budd did not drown, he was hung. ... This quote is ironic because the "criminal" was not a criminal, Billy Budd was a hero in the story. Melville again tries to accuse Billy Budd of being an evil character. ... The context, however, does show a hint of accusation towards Billy Budd. ... The tendency of Melville presenting Billy Budd as evil, strikes an outrageous idea. ...
Therefore, Claggort was Billy's antagonist throughout Billy Budd. Also symbolic to the novel is the actual demise of both Claggort and Billy Budd. ... Claggort's death completely contrasts with the pure death of Billy Budd. ... In contrast to Claggort, Billy Budd's "welkin-eyes", blonde hair, and tan complexion ultimately portray good. ... Through out the novel Billy Budd is never aware of Claggort's ill will towards him. ...
There are three main characters in Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor: Billy Budd, John Claggart, and Captain Vere. ... Different from Billy Budd, John Claggart is characterized as intelligent and sophisticated. ... He appreciates Billy Budd's innocent charm, but he despairs of sharing it. ... His high-sounding reasons for hanging Billy Budd is just the disguise of his fear. ... Billy Budd, Sailor has a simple plot, but meanwhile contains a variety of meanings. ...
Billy Budd - Individualism There is much to be said about individualism. ... Billy Budd and Ignatius Reilly were both prime examples of individuals. ... Billy Budd has remarkable looks. ... Billy Budd shows the positive side of individualism. ... Billy Budd brought out all the high aspects of it by being a leader and peacemaker to all of his shipmates. ...
In Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Melville uses the literary device of foreshadowing to allow the audience to be aware of Billy's inevitable fate before the characters in the novel, thus creating a feeling of suspense within the novel. Melville begins using foreshadowing early in the novel when he describes Billy Budd as a tall handsome sailor that was well adored by mostly all who knew him. ... At this point all the elements of foreshadowing within the novel have finally come together resulting in the climax and resolution within Billy Budd. Without the element of foreshad...
In the novel, Billy Budd by Herman Melville, emotions, and the actions based on them, play a considerable role in the fate of Billy Budd, Claggart and Captain Vere. ... One may wonder if Vere's destiny would go about differently if Billy Budd was still alive. Seconds before Billy is hung he says "'God bless Captain Vere!'" ... This demonstrates the emotional impact Billy had on Vere with his last words. Later when Vere is dieing from being wounded by the French, " he was heard to murmur words inexplicable to his attendant-'Billy Budd, Billy Budd," (92 Melville)and although...
Herman Melville's novel, Billy Budd, tells the story of a young man who is recruited by the British Navy to the H.M.S. ... These biblical allusions in Billy Budd provide the reader with a better understanding of many of the main characters and events including Billy Budd's comparison with Jesus Christ. ... Claggart lies to Captain Vere that Billy Budd is conspiring to commit mutiny on board the H.M.S. ... In this novel Billy's primary comparison is with the life or more specifically the death of Jesus Christ, although there are allusions to the Christ-Child. ... The allusi...
Billy Budd and Jesus Christ After reading the story Billy Budd, I could see how the story of Billy Budd is very similar to the story of crucifixion of Christ. ... Billy Budd was an almost perfect guy with looks and charm and that everyone liked. ... He was really jealous of Billy and secretly thought that 2 Billy was plotting against him and tried to belittle Billy whenever he could yet hid it well from Billy even though everyone had warned Billy that the master of arms really didn't like him. ... Billy didn't know what to think of this. .....
Billy Budd, by Herman Melville is an allegory; because the characters represent abstract qualities. Billy Budd represents Jesus Christ, Captain Vere represents God, and John Claggart represents Lucifer. ... Billy Budd was an innocent man physically and mentally. ... Billy Budd suffers a similar demise. ... 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. ...
