Plot Summary Of Herman Melville's Billy Budd
Plot Summary:
The H.M.S. Bellipotent ship is nearing home after a long voyage, when a British general who is in need of men, stops the ship. Lieutenant Ratcliffe conscripts one sailor and that sailor is, Billy Budd, who is willing to serve his country. As he exits, he hollers for the Rights of Man by name and says his goodbyes. On the Bellipotent, Billy takes over the job of the foretopman. Claggart, who is the master of arms, has a appearance that is calm, but deep down he has evil intentions. Claggart is friendly toward Billy at first and Billy thinks he seems content with his performance. Billy is surprised later when he is judged by Claggart for small errors. One night, a guard wakes up Billy and takes him to a private area of the ship. …show more content…
He likes Billy Budd and favors him at times. He is also very devoted to his country of England. His commitment to England leads to him deciding to kill Billy even though he loves him.
Dansker- He is an old sailor who becomes friends with Billy. He gives Billy the nick name “Baby” because of his young appearance. He can tell that Claggart has evil intention toward Billy, but he is reluctant to tell him about it.
Setting:
The majority of “Billy Budd” takes place on the H.M.S. Bellipotent, which is a ship for the British navy. The year is 1797, and in July. This time period is important because there is a war going on between Britain and France. Although the whole story takes place at Sea, a large amount of the action going on in the war takes place on the land. The war taking place on land has a big effect on what goes on at Sea for the war.
Symbols:
Billy Budd symbolizes innocence. He is a pure young man who is thrown into a world of sin; the world of sin is represented in the war ship Billy has to be on. He is harassed in by different sailors who are sexually attracted to him. Also he is accused for being a part of the attempted mutiny. He is determined guilty when he was completely innocent and did not even want to be a part of the
The H.M.S. Bellipotent ship is nearing home after a long voyage, when a British general who is in need of men, stops the ship. Lieutenant Ratcliffe conscripts one sailor and that sailor is, Billy Budd, who is willing to serve his country. As he exits, he hollers for the Rights of Man by name and says his goodbyes. On the Bellipotent, Billy takes over the job of the foretopman. Claggart, who is the master of arms, has a appearance that is calm, but deep down he has evil intentions. Claggart is friendly toward Billy at first and Billy thinks he seems content with his performance. Billy is surprised later when he is judged by Claggart for small errors. One night, a guard wakes up Billy and takes him to a private area of the ship. …show more content…
He likes Billy Budd and favors him at times. He is also very devoted to his country of England. His commitment to England leads to him deciding to kill Billy even though he loves him.
Dansker- He is an old sailor who becomes friends with Billy. He gives Billy the nick name “Baby” because of his young appearance. He can tell that Claggart has evil intention toward Billy, but he is reluctant to tell him about it.
Setting:
The majority of “Billy Budd” takes place on the H.M.S. Bellipotent, which is a ship for the British navy. The year is 1797, and in July. This time period is important because there is a war going on between Britain and France. Although the whole story takes place at Sea, a large amount of the action going on in the war takes place on the land. The war taking place on land has a big effect on what goes on at Sea for the war.
Symbols:
Billy Budd symbolizes innocence. He is a pure young man who is thrown into a world of sin; the world of sin is represented in the war ship Billy has to be on. He is harassed in by different sailors who are sexually attracted to him. Also he is accused for being a part of the attempted mutiny. He is determined guilty when he was completely innocent and did not even want to be a part of the