Themes, Plot, Conflict

Beauty 

Billy Budd was a charming young man that was straightforward with his thoughts. Claggart does find Billy's personal beauty attracting, and it is viewed as a wrong doing for anyone who is interested in homophobia. However, many viewed Billy as innocent. Herman Melville does describe that Claggart's initial dislike about Billy has something to do with his "personal beauty" but then reveal that Claggart feels some other kind of sentiment towards Billy than hatred or envy.    

Innocence and Evil 

Billy's innocence is the significance of his beauty and charisma, but it is also part of what kills him. Lacking any wiles, he falls victim to Claggart's malice and treachery. When Billy finds out from the veteran sailor that Claggart doesn't like him, he doesn't believe it. Billy was later stunned by the accusation of Claggart and when pressured to talk, he punches Claggart in the forehead. This hit just right and kills the master-at-arms.

Desire

Melville devotes an incredible amount of attention to Billy's physical characteristics. Melville never makes a clear contrast between "homoerotic" and "homosocial" attraction, and the differences of the divide are part of the territory for nineteenth-century literature. The most import demonstration of desire is the inevitable lust Claggart feels for Billy, which is part of the issue of the master-at-arms' hatred for the boy.

Duty and Conscience

Captain Vere had a strong dilemma of whether or not to convict Billy and hang him in spite of his sense that the young sailor is innocent.  Captain Vere is characterized throughout Billy Budd as a man who heeds his duty. If he does not punish him, he will criticize. But if he does do something he will second guess himself. Billy's execution goes forward because of Captain Vere's intense focus on duty. The accusation of mutiny aside, the simple fact is that Billy, a foretopman, has struck and killed his superior, the master-at-arms. Captain Vere, at his own death, appears still to be haunted by his decision.

Fate and fatalism

Fate plays a part in the events on the ship. Billy's ending was foreshadowed ever since the beginning of the book. He would not act in any other way besides following his fate.  Part of Billy's beauty and charm is his ability to adapt himself to his own fate. He takes impressment without complaint; he goes to his death with courage and acceptance.