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Herman Melville's Billy Budd is a work of fiction that delves into philosophical questions such as justice, law and destiny. It tells the story of an illegitimate orphan who grows into a charismatic and ambitious seaman. Aboard the Bellipotent, Budd is much respected and even loved by the crew for his good-tempered personality and willingness to help others. This appreciation for his humane qualities makes John Claggart, a superior officer, jealous of him. When Claggart falsely accuses Budd of conspiracy and tries to frame him in front of Captain Vere, innocent Budd is left astonished and speechless. The young seaman eventually moves towards Claggart and unintentionally strikes him to death. The rest of the narrative focuses on whether Budd deserves capital punishment for murder or not. It is then that questions such as the duality between law and justice as well as the duality between human justice and divine justice are debated, mainly by Captain Vere who acts as prosecutor and judge on board. The captain ultimately decides to execute Budd arguing that, though human perfection is unattainable, such decision must be taken since any semblance of weakness of the law could encourage more mutinies among the British fleet.


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Publisher: Deadtree Publishing

Kindle Book

  • Release date: March 14, 2013

OverDrive Read

  • ISBN: 9781780007212
  • Release date: March 14, 2013

EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9781780007212
  • File size: 75 KB
  • Release date: March 14, 2013

Open EPUB ebook

  • ISBN: 9781780007212
  • File size: 75 KB
  • Release date: March 14, 2013

Formats

Kindle Book
OverDrive Read
EPUB ebook
Open EPUB ebook

Languages

English

Levels

Lexile® Measure:1450
Text Difficulty:12

Herman Melville's Billy Budd is a work of fiction that delves into philosophical questions such as justice, law and destiny. It tells the story of an illegitimate orphan who grows into a charismatic and ambitious seaman. Aboard the Bellipotent, Budd is much respected and even loved by the crew for his good-tempered personality and willingness to help others. This appreciation for his humane qualities makes John Claggart, a superior officer, jealous of him. When Claggart falsely accuses Budd of conspiracy and tries to frame him in front of Captain Vere, innocent Budd is left astonished and speechless. The young seaman eventually moves towards Claggart and unintentionally strikes him to death. The rest of the narrative focuses on whether Budd deserves capital punishment for murder or not. It is then that questions such as the duality between law and justice as well as the duality between human justice and divine justice are debated, mainly by Captain Vere who acts as prosecutor and judge on board. The captain ultimately decides to execute Budd arguing that, though human perfection is unattainable, such decision must be taken since any semblance of weakness of the law could encourage more mutinies among the British fleet.


Expand title description text
  • Details

    Publisher:
    Deadtree Publishing

    Kindle Book
    Release date: March 14, 2013

    OverDrive Read
    ISBN: 9781780007212
    Release date: March 14, 2013

    EPUB ebook
    ISBN: 9781780007212
    File size: 75 KB
    Release date: March 14, 2013

    Open EPUB ebook
    ISBN: 9781780007212
    File size: 75 KB
    Release date: March 14, 2013

  • Creators
  • Formats
    Kindle Book
    OverDrive Read
    EPUB ebook
    Open EPUB ebook
  • Languages
    English
  • Levels
    Lexile® Measure: 1450
    Text Difficulty: 12