Billy Budd
The main character of this short story, Billy is an example of many different personalities. He is very charming and innocent. Although he does not win the favor of Captain Vere, he is honest and respectful. He unites the crew of the Rights-of-Man and the Bellipotent. However, John Claggart did not favor this act. Billy’s simple intellect and his tendency to stutter in stressful situations combined with his moral outrage at Claggart’s accusations causes him to punch Claggart resulting in an unintentional death.
Captain the Honorable Edward Fairfax Vere
He is a philosopher. His experience at sea and different learning process had made him concerned with the balance of right and wrong. It is his conviction that naval law, which requires Billy’s execution, be adhered to. Ironically, he is sorrowful that Billy must be punished. When Claggart is killed by Billy, he tries very much to remain still. When he dies in the end, he realizes what Billy had felt when he died.
John Claggart
Claggart is also another main character. He is not an ugly man, but his physical features do not have the attractiveness of Billy’s. As a late member of the navy, he worked hard and carefully to rise in the ranks. As master-at-arms, he is the policeman of the ship. He has no problem with Billy, until he is told, that Billy has been talking negatively about him. He responds to this with contrary by driving him to accuse Billy of mutiny. Billy responds by punching him. Claggart dies due to his false commitment.
No comments:
Post a Comment