Billy Budd Character Analysis

Billy Budd was a bright eyed, twenty one year old foretop man of the British Fleet. As an

orphan he was tall, athletic, friendly, innocent and helpful. He was a loyal friend and a

fierce fighter.

Billy Budd leaves his ship, The Rights of a Man, and was inspected and enlisted for naval

service on the Bellipotant. Lieutenant Ratcliffe was not happy to see him go but must

release him to the navy. All the sailors liked him for his charming looks and honest simple

personality. He waves good-bye to his shipmates as he is taken aboard his new ship.

Billy did well in his new surroundings. The other sailors liked him as much as he was liked

on the merchant vessel. He works the top sails and makes fast friends with his companions

and a veteran sailor named Dansker. …show more content…
Captain Vere was a very stern man. He is

well educated, and spoke often in historical allusion. Many found him to be less then

personable and he was not popular with the sailors, although they respected him.

There was a new Master at Arms on the ship and his name was John Claggart. The job of

the Master of Arms turned into policing his own crew. He is primarily responsible for

watching over the men. In recent months, there had been mutinies on British ships, which

was later called the Great Mutiny, so the officers are ill at ease. Claggarts job was more

difficult because of this. Claggart had been approached by a Corporal and tells him the

Billy Budd was ridiculing him. Claggart takes offense to this and begins to watch Billy

carefully, paranoid even about pleasant greetings.

Billy had seen the gangway punishments and was determined that he would always

perform his duties well, so that his actions would never cause him to be yelled at. Billy did

have one weakness. When he was strongly provoked, he was inclined to stutter or