Critical Essay On Billy Budd

Want to read the rest of this paper? Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay and over 50,000 other term papers

by lashing out at Claggart. I
agree with Reich's notion that Vere was correct in hanging Billy, and that
it is society, not Vere, who should be criticized for this judgement; for
Vere is forced to reject the urgings of his own heart and his values to
comply with the binding laws of man.
First, the moral issue aside, Captain Vere had no choice but to
convict Billy. As captain of a ship under pressure of war and the constant
threat of mutiny, Vere had to act swiftly. Also, as captain, Vere had the
responsibility of making sure the laws were strictly enforced, including
the Mutiny Act. Although Vere knew in his heart Billy was innocent, Billy's
actions had to be punished.
For Vere to have acquitted Billy would mean that he had placed the
divine law of nature above the laws he was bound to enforce as captain of a
British ship. Although this would have been morally right, who is to say
where to draw the line? This rhetorical question is what Melville wants his
readers to think ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays. Write better papers. Get better grades. Already a member? Login

CITE THIS PAGE: