Many authors use allusions to events in the Bible in their writing. One such author is Herman Melville when he wrote his novel, Billy Budd. These allusions can be used to help relate events in the novel to events that have already happened in history. Throughout Billy Budd, Herman Melville uses many different biblical allusions to help portray the theme and plot of the novel. Three examples of biblical allusions used in Billy Budd are Adam and the fall of man, Joseph and his jealous brothers, and of Elisha the prophet. One biblical allusion made in Billy Budd is to Adam and the fall of man to Billy and him punching and killing Claggart. In chapter two of Billy Budd the narrator says, "Billy in many respects was little more than a sort of
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In chapter eighteen the narrator states, " A look such as might have been that of the spokesman of the envious children of Jacob deceptively imposing upon the troubled patriarch the blood- dyed coat of young Joseph." (Melville 77). Claggart is jealous of Billy's looks and of how much people like him. In the same way Joseph's twelve brothers are jealous of him, because their father, Jacob, favors him over them. Joseph is the first child born to Jacob by his wife Rachel. His other twelve sons born to him by servants and other women since his wife was barren until they their prayers of their own child was answered and she could become pregnant. This made Joseph seem more special without him doing anything himself. In the same way Billy is born with his innocent and cheerful personality along with his good looks without him doing anything. Therefore both Claggart and Joseph's jealous brothers are envious over something they can't control. Claggart tries to control the situation by not liking Billy and talking down about him, but this plan does not work. In contrast Joseph's brothers end up selling him and telling their father he died while Claggart does not take as drastic measures against Billy. Also Joseph and his brothers make up in the end. Unfortunately as Billy ends up killing Claggart they do not have the chance to do so. This allusion helps contribute to the theme of jealousy throughout the
In chapter eighteen the narrator states, " A look such as might have been that of the spokesman of the envious children of Jacob deceptively imposing upon the troubled patriarch the blood- dyed coat of young Joseph." (Melville 77). Claggart is jealous of Billy's looks and of how much people like him. In the same way Joseph's twelve brothers are jealous of him, because their father, Jacob, favors him over them. Joseph is the first child born to Jacob by his wife Rachel. His other twelve sons born to him by servants and other women since his wife was barren until they their prayers of their own child was answered and she could become pregnant. This made Joseph seem more special without him doing anything himself. In the same way Billy is born with his innocent and cheerful personality along with his good looks without him doing anything. Therefore both Claggart and Joseph's jealous brothers are envious over something they can't control. Claggart tries to control the situation by not liking Billy and talking down about him, but this plan does not work. In contrast Joseph's brothers end up selling him and telling their father he died while Claggart does not take as drastic measures against Billy. Also Joseph and his brothers make up in the end. Unfortunately as Billy ends up killing Claggart they do not have the chance to do so. This allusion helps contribute to the theme of jealousy throughout the