Billy Budd

Billy Budd is a classic American short novel written by Herman Melville (1818 – 1891) and was published posthumously 33 years after his death in 1924.  It describes the events surrounding the court martial of a seaman aboard a British warship, the HMS Bellipotent.  The events depicted in this novel were to have taken place in the late 18th century, a time of war and turmoil for the British Navy.  The main character, Billy Budd is a young and extremely popular member of the crew who has a speech impediment.  The antagonist is John Claggart who, for some unexplained reason does not like Billy.  Vere is the vessel’s captain and he was very fond of young Billy.
Claggart falsely accuses Billy of mutiny who, because of his speech defect is unable to adequately defend himself.  In a fit of rage, Budd strikes Claggart, accidentally killing him.  The only witness was Vere who based on his role as the Bellipotent’s captain assumes the duties of judge, prosecutor and defense attorney for Billy Budd’ court martial.  Other officers on the ship act as the jury.  Vere was extremely conflicted between his personal love for Billy Budd and his sense of duty to the law.  He convinces himself that he needed to follow the letter of the law.  He persuades the jury, who despite their love for Billy, convict him.   Billy is promptly hung.  Immediately before hanging, Budd yells out “God Bless Captain Vere.”  Some time later, Captain Vere dies in battle and his final words were “Billy Budd, Billy Budd”. 
This story is full of symbolism.  It has been said that Billy Budd symbolizes Jesus Christ.  The support for this argument is the final comments of Billy (God Bless Captain Vere), which resemble the comments of Jesus on the Cross (Father, forgive them for they know now what they do).  Claggart, because he acted as the ‘’betrayer” of Budd is said to represent Judas, while Vere presiding over the trial is said to represent Pontius Pilate.   The jury can be interpreted to represent the crowds present at the trial of Jesus.
Alternatively, it can be argued that Budd simply represents good, while Claggart represents evil.  In either case, it is clear that Budd is the protagonist and that Claggart is the antagonist.  This is a very short novel and is relatively enjoyable to read.
Billy Budd has been adapted to cinema on several occasions.  In 1962, a popular movie starred Terrance Stamp as Billy and Peter Ustinov as Captain Vere.  In addition, several made for TV versions of this story have also been made.