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Billy Budd: Perfect Character In Unjust Microcosm - College Essays

Billy Budd: Perfect Character In Unjust Microcosm

An allegory is a symbolic story. Herman Melville's Billy Budd is
an example of an allegory. The author uses the protagonist Billy Budd to
symbolize a superior being who has a perfect appearance and represents
goodness. Melville shows the reader that a superior being can be an
innocent victim of evil and eventually destroyed. In, Melville's Billy Budd,
the main character is an allegorical figure who symbolizes all goodness in
men.
Billy Budd's image is symbolic. He symbolizes one who is perfect in
appearance. Budd is strong and handsome. He is the center of attention and
compared to the "Handsome Sailor." (THAAL, pg. 2512) Melville uses an
allusion to compare the "Handsome Sailor" ...

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figure. (THAAL, pg. 2513) Melville compares
Billy's physical appearance to that of Alexander the conqueror creating an
image of a superior being.
Billy is an "honest soul" and wants simple peace and quiet. (THAAL,
pg. 2514) The simple peace that he seeks may represent the romantic view of
a noble savage, who has goodness because he is untainted by the corruption
in society. Melville has interest in the noble savage and creates Billy
Budd to represent this idea. Billy seems naturally good with no sins in his
character. He lives a simple and serious life. For example, when Claggart
makes fun of him, Billy does not understand the "humor" in his statement.
(THAAL, pg. 2532) Another example that shows Billy's simple character
fearfully witnesses a flogging. Billy has never experienced punishment and
is afraid of this unknown. He is also naive about evil. When told, by the
Dansker, that Claggart, the master at arms, is down on him, Billy is
doubtful of the Dansker's words. He ...

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Billy Budd: Perfect Character In Unjust Microcosm. (2005, November 21). Retrieved May 28, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Billy-Budd-Perfect-Character-Unjust-Microcosm/36801

"Billy Budd: Perfect Character In Unjust Microcosm." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 21 Nov. 2005. Web. 28 May. 2025. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Billy-Budd-Perfect-Character-Unjust-Microcosm/36801>

"Billy Budd: Perfect Character In Unjust Microcosm." Essayworld.com. November 21, 2005. Accessed May 28, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Billy-Budd-Perfect-Character-Unjust-Microcosm/36801.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 11/21/2005 05:09:37 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 603
Pages: 3

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