John Claggart is the villain of “Billy Budd”. He is the ships Master-at-arms on the H.M.S. Bellipotent. Claggart is a troubled man and is jealous of Billy, his jealousy is so strong he would do anything to get rid of Billy. A question may be asked about Claggarts jealousy and where is came from. Melville depicts Billy as the perfect specimen of a man and a perfect sailor, he is strong, has smooth skin, is innocent, and handsome. This greatly intimidated Claggart and through his resentment and jealousy he preys on Billy’s innocence and causes his death. Melville suggests in the story that Claggart may have already been mentally ill and that his jealousy of Billy just pushed him over the edge. Claggart represents the evil in man or possibly even Satan. This argument is supported through an essay I found on the subject stating “Melville is saying that true goodness, aspersed by a Satanic Claggart and doomed to death by a perplexed but upright Vere, even dead, is better than all the wisdom and experience of the world because it exists after death, and therefore triumphs.” (Billy Budd) The author of this essay obviously thinks of Claggart as true evil through this statement.
Captain Vere is the Captain of the H.M.S. Bellipotent and is well respected by the crew of the ship. Vere is a very intelligent character and brings his wisdom, mind, and heart to the story. Vere is a man of the rules, he goes by the book when a conflict arises. In this story Vere acts as the judge or executioner although the decision was not all his. The reader will sense the inner conflict of Vere when the time comes to punish Billy for his crime. Vere’s relationship with Billy becomes something more than just being his Captain, Vere has great admiration for Billy and seems to look at this “Handsome Sailor” as if he were his father. Melville seems to contrast the relationship between Vere and Billy to the Bible, Vere symbolizing God and Billy symbolizing Jesus. This argument can be supported by Bill Thompson who states, “The book is full of Biblical allusion which substantiates the symbolism. Just as God allowed his son to be sentenced to death and die, Capt. Vere sentences Billy (who I believe to be Capt. Vere's son) to die as well.” (Billy Budd- symbolism)
The crime in Billy Budd is simple, John Claggart the ships Master-at-arms accuses Billy Budd of mutiny in front of Captain Vere and Billy, absolutely flabbergasted and speechless, lashed out and struck Claggart in the forehead. The blow was so intense that it killed Claggart. Billy Budd is not charged with murder but with striking "'his superior in grade'"; "'Apart from its effect the blow itself is,'" as Captain Vere states, “‘a capital crime’” under the Articles of War of the Georgian codes. Captain Vere called a drumhead court and a trial was held. Claggart accused Billy of a capital crime punishable by death. Claggart knew this was a lie but was so intent on getting rid of Billy that he informed the Captain of Billy’s so called mutiny plans. Billy Budd is initially accused of a crime he didn’t commit and this is where it all started. Billy can be held in contrast to Jesus here considering he was totally innocent and could never even think of such things.
Captain Vere as well as the crew all acknowledge that Billy acted without malice, forethought, or any murderous intent, but Billy was guilty of striking a superior officer. Captain Vere was present when Claggart was killed, witnessing everything. Melville shows the reader through this that the Captain really cares about Billy and knows that Billy did not intentionally kill Claggart, but the Captain has to fulfill his obligations and duty to the ship and crew.
The punishment of Billy Budd’s crime demands death by hanging. Remember that the crime that Billy committed was that of striking a superior officer not murder. Had Claggart not falsely accused Billy of mutiny he would still be alive and Billy would not be on trial. Billy Budd is accused of a crime he didn't and could never commit. Billy is again held in contrast to Jesus. Jesus was accused of a crime he didn't commit and was executed for it. There are supporting arguments on this, Rowie Torres mentions that "I think that the justice is plainly unfair..." and "I think it's because of the fact that a Christlike figure had to die…" (Re: What about the justice in Billy Budd?) When Billy struck and killed Claggart the accusations changed briefly to murder and then finally to striking a superior officer which is punishable by death. The question that comes to mind about this situation is, does Billy really deserve this punishment? The law says yes, Billy does deserve death for striking a superior officer. Billy had no right to strike the Master-at-arms even if he did wrongfully accuse him of mutiny. Captain Vere made the legal decision to execute Billy, but this decision showed the lack of moral courage in Vere. Vere knew he was executing a righteous man, although technically a guilty one.
Billy Budd was hanged from the mainsail yardarm as the punishment for his crime. It is my under standing that when a prisoner is hanged on a ship in this manner, the lower yardarm is generally used. Melville uses more symbolism here to depict the crucifixion of Christ. Billy, who symbolizes Jesus Christ, is hung from the yardarm that holds the mainsail rather than from the lower one, as is the usual practice. In the Bible, Jesus was hung on the cross between two other prisoners. The symbolism here can be supported through an essay I read by an unknown author which states, “I believe that through this allusion to Christ’s crucifixion, he is showing us that perhaps we should not always only be concerned about ourselves, but also about those around us.” (Billy Budd)
At the close of the story Captain Vere is dying, his last words are “Billy Budd, Billy Budd.” This would suggest that there is some sort of strong connection between Billy and Captain Vere. This connection goes way beyond friendship or personal respect. Melville creates this obvious connection to urge the reader to think about everything that has happened in this story. He urges us to think about the symbolism in this story and how this symbolism may also turn out to be literal. This obvious connection may suggest that Billy was actually Vere’s son, again contrasting Jesus being God’s son. Vere showed great personal remorse for Billy’s death, far beyond what he would have felt had another member of his crew been in this situation. This opinion is shared among others as well as me, Monica writes, referring to Vere’s last words and why he said them, “I think it was because Billy was supposed to be his son…” (Capt. Vere's last words)
“Billy Budd” is one of the best stories I have ever read. I have never had to really think about what I was reading until I started reading classic literature. Classic literature is extremely fascinating and thought provoking. “Billy Budd” will be a story I will remember and truly appreciate for life. The symbolism in Billy Budd seems to have many references to the Bible, but at the same time I get the impression that Melville is not a Christian and does not literally believe the Bible. This is another subject that prove to be interesting.
Works Cited
“Billy Budd” http://www.bignerds.com/english/billybudd.shtml
“Billy Budd- symbolism” http://killdevilhill.com/melvillechat/messages2/1971.html
“Innocence in Billy Budd” http://killdevilhill.com/melvillechat/messages2/1949.html
“What about the justice in Billy Budd?” http://killdevilhill.com/melvillechat/messages2/1839.html
“Capt. Vere's last words” http://killdevilhill.com/melvillechat/messages2/1948.html
