Billy Budd :: essays research papers

he-goat BuddMain Characters he-goat Budd- He is a bright-eyed, twenty-one year aging forewo human race of the British Fleet. An orphan, he is tall, athletic,friendly, innocent, and helpful. He is a loyal friend, and a fierce fighter. All the officers like him except for Claggart.Claggart- The Master-at-Arms that is envious and jealous of Billy Budd. He is out to make Billys life miserable andis the cause of Billy Budds execution.Captain Vere- The Honorable Edward Fairfax Vere is a bachelor of about forty. He has a nickname of " starlit Vere."Captain Vere is forced to execute Billy Budd though he knew of his innocence. But neverthelessDansker- A veteran sailor who has taken a liking to Billy Budd. Tells Billy that Claggart doesnt like him. He is alsoone of the most important members of the crew.Chapters 1-7, Pages 1-27The book starts out with the author remembering seeing a handsome man many years ago. He is reminded of this bythe Handsome Sailor, Billy Budd. Billy is twent y- one, a foretopeman of the British fleet who impressed LieutenantRatcliffe of the H.M.S. Indomitable. Billy leaves his ship the Rights of Man, and joins the H.M.S. Indomitable. He is received well by the crew and they like him lots. An officer asks him about who his parents are and he replysthat he doesnt know. He was found in a handbasket hung on a mans door handle in Bristol. Billy seems to be practicallyperfect, but he does have one weakness. When he is strongly provoked, he is inclined to stutter, or may evenbecome speechless. The author tells us of the uprisings in the British navy. It is later called the Great Mutiny. Theysail for the Mediterranean and have an anxiousness about them as they watch for signs of trouble or discontent.Chapters 8-15, Pages 28-55Billy had seen the gangway punishment, and was determined that he would always perform his duties well, and thathis actions would never cause him to get yell at. Though he had made that resolution, he was occasionally ge ttinginto slight trouble. He is confused by this, and goes to Dansker, who seems to have taken a liking to him. Billy askshim for his opinion, and he says that it is because Claggart doesnt like Billy. That with all evidence to the contrary,he despises him.The day after the discussion with Dansker, Billy spills soup on the freshly cleaned deck just as Claggart passes byhim. Claggart notices that it was Billy that spilled the soup, and only taps him lightly with his rattan.