In Billy Budd, a novella written by Herman Melville, the main character is portrayed as a Christ-like figure. Christ is brought into this story through the personality, actions, and persecution of Billy Budd, a sailor who was impressed into service on a British naval ship the Bellipotent. Christ, as God, is the epitome of human perfection and flawlessness. Similarly, Billy Budd is described as a man of "unpretentious good looks" (Melville 8) and innocence. Like Christ, Billy Budd gives "no cause of offense to anybody" and is "always alert at a call" (33) to help whoever requires assistance. Christ is the ultimate peacemaker, and He calls all people to live in peace with their neighbors and treat others as they want to be treated. Billy Budd
…show more content…
In Billy Budd, the Sanhedrin is represented by Claggart, the master at arms. He despises Billy for his good looks, good nature, and inherent goodness and searches for a reason to justify his hate. One occasion that Claggart uses to justify his feeling occurs when Billy spills soup as Claggart is walking by. Claggart makes a comment to Billy that the crew takes as a joke as they can not see the expression that Claggart has, a "bitter smile, usurping the face from the heart" (39) nor can they hear his vehement comment that follows his smile. Claggart then goes to Captain Vere and accuses Billy Budd of treason and mutiny; the Sanhedrin also accused Jesus of plotting against and planning to overthrow the government. When questioned, Billy Budd is speechless and is told, "'Speak, man!' said Captain Vere... 'Speak! defend yourself" (71). Like Jesus, Billy Budd is silent when accused and refuses to defend himself in the face of the accusation. However, Christ also stands up and defends the truths He believes in. When He sees the Temple was turned into a den of thieves He lashes out and flips the tables, defending the sacredness of a place of prayer. Like Jesus, Billy Budd also defends what he believes in - himself. When he was still aboard the Rights-of-Man he struck a man in the ribs after the man tried to take a cheap shot at him. On the Bellipotent
In Billy Budd, the Sanhedrin is represented by Claggart, the master at arms. He despises Billy for his good looks, good nature, and inherent goodness and searches for a reason to justify his hate. One occasion that Claggart uses to justify his feeling occurs when Billy spills soup as Claggart is walking by. Claggart makes a comment to Billy that the crew takes as a joke as they can not see the expression that Claggart has, a "bitter smile, usurping the face from the heart" (39) nor can they hear his vehement comment that follows his smile. Claggart then goes to Captain Vere and accuses Billy Budd of treason and mutiny; the Sanhedrin also accused Jesus of plotting against and planning to overthrow the government. When questioned, Billy Budd is speechless and is told, "'Speak, man!' said Captain Vere... 'Speak! defend yourself" (71). Like Jesus, Billy Budd is silent when accused and refuses to defend himself in the face of the accusation. However, Christ also stands up and defends the truths He believes in. When He sees the Temple was turned into a den of thieves He lashes out and flips the tables, defending the sacredness of a place of prayer. Like Jesus, Billy Budd also defends what he believes in - himself. When he was still aboard the Rights-of-Man he struck a man in the ribs after the man tried to take a cheap shot at him. On the Bellipotent