Introduction 2
Capitan Vere’s Struggle 4
Capitan Vere’s Just Action 6
Capitan Vere’s Biblical Implications: Sacrifice to Save Many 9
Capitan Vere’s Biblical Implications: Actions and Consequences 9
Conclusion 10
Works Cited 12
Captain Vere’s Choice
In Herman Melville’s exceptional novel Billy Bud, Captain Vere is forced to execute the charismatic Billy Bud, a character who accidentally kills a naval officer that accuses him of mutiny. Many readers hold that Captain Vere is unjust in this action towards Billy, as the evil naval officer, Claggart, provoked him. This latter character untruthfully accuses Billy Bud of orchestrating a mutiny aboard the Bellipotent because of his envy towards Billy. This last character physically lashes out at Claggart, accidentally killing him, after being confronted by Captain Vere and him. He must then face the consequence of this action, which is death according to the naval code that they were handling. Therefore, as the naval officer and a witness, Captain Vere has the duty of attesting to Billy Bud’s crime, which later leads to his execution. Another theme that arises frequently in this great work of art is the subject of personal responsibility against civil responsibility. Many would agree that one should behave in accordance with civil obedience. Nevertheless, in this story one sees Vere acting this way even against personal codes, something that is not common. One can see this in the story because, even though he is acting according to civil law, Captain Vere is burdened with the conflict of his personal and civil responsibilities. He is aware that Billy Bud did not intentionally kill Claggart, but he is also aware that Bud must face the consequences of his rash actions. As a consequence, the execution of Billy Bud is often mislabeled as unjust. Nevertheless, after thorough investigation, one can conclude that Captain Vere’s prosecution and execution of Billy Bud is just, for the former honors both his civil and moral responsibilities
Even though he may behave otherwise, Captain Vere is aware of Billy Bud’s child-like innocence. Due to Claggart’s claims, regarding supposed mutinous actions by Billy Bud, Captain Vere is induced to investigate. Regardless of Billy Bud’s supposed excellence, he has the flaw of uncontrollable stuttering when provoked. While being called into a meeting with Claggart and Captain Vere, this conduct begins to present itself in a wild manner. Although Vere is acting in concordance with Claggart, the former is inwardly weary of the latter’s actual motivations. As Merrill writes, “Knowing that Billy is ‘innocent before God’ (p. 110), Vere nonetheless imposes his will on the drumhead court” (Robert 288). One can see this beforehand, when he gives Billy Bud an opportunity to plead his case. His belief of Bud’s innocence is evident, for he is aware of the titular character’s inability to express his thoughts, when not in his wits. Therefore, Billy Bud’s stuttering is a probable indicator of Bud’s innocence for Captain Vere. Captain Vere could have furthered Bud’s torture by insisting upon his defensive statement if the former felt suspicious of the latter’s intentions. In addition, Captain Vere’s suspicion of Claggart’s intention also shows that he is aware of Billy Bud’s innocence. One can read this in the texts when Melville writes, “With gray eyes distrustful essaying to fathom to the bottom Claggart’s calm violet onesa look curious of the operation a look such as might have been that of the spokesman of the envious children of Jacob deceptively imposing upon the troubled patriarch the blood-dyed coat of young Joseph.” (Herman 18). The biblical reference to Jacob indicates that Billy Bud is innocent by analogy. In the story of Jacob, he is favored by his father, Isaac. This makes his brothers envy, and they begin to plot against him after Isaac gives him a colorful coat. They slaughter a lamb, and cover Jacob’s coat in its blood. After doing so, they sell Jacob into slavery, return Jacob’s coat to their father, and announce that Jacob is dead. By referencing the story of Jacob, Captain Vere suggests that Claggart’s intent is similar to that of Jacob’s brothers. He describes them as “envious”, as Claggart was, an emotion that often triggers dark impulses. Therefore, Captain Vere is aware of Billy Bud’ innocence, as Jacob was, and that Claggart has evil motives. Furthermore, Billy Bud’s notorious innocent nature as a whole indicates that Claggart’s claims are dubious at best. One can even see Claggart himself being allured by the eponymous character’s personality. “In the early chapters Melville is at pains to back up Captain Graveling’s report of Billy’s ‘peace-making’ innocence and goodness” (Robert 285). Through this statement, one can comprehend that Billy Bud’s nature is quite the opposite of Claggart’s accusation, and that the latter knows it. As previously stated, Billy Bud is depicted as very joyful. As a consequence, creating a mutiny among the Bellipotent, would simply have been completely out of character for Billy. If one takes his personality into account, it would have been highly improbable that Billy Bud would have done this heinous act on purpose. Therefore, one can conclude that Captain Vere is fully aware of Billy Bud’s innocence.
Consequently, Captain Vere struggles with his decision to further pursue Billy Bud’s conviction because he knows it goes against his civil responsibility. As concluded earlier, Captain Vere is fully conscious of Billy Bud’s innocence. He is aware that Claggart’s statements are false, and that his killing at the hands of Billy Bud was unintentional. Nevertheless, Captain Vere is ripped between his moral and civil responsibilities, and what he actually wants to do. This is because he is very moral, especially due to his religion, something that was very important at the time. Merrill argues that Vere pursues Billy Bud “in the belief that men cannot rule themselves by the standards of heaven while confined to earth” (Robert 288). Therefore, he finds his hierarchal position and duty towards God to be more important than his own, personal will. As a “model officer”, Captain Vere has the duty to act in accordance with martial policy, even if this contradicts his moral beliefs. By law, he is required to be “faithful” in his actions, despite “his most compassionate human feelings”. This forced disregard of his personal inner motives makes it even more difficult to convict Billy Bud, as it is almost impossible to explain something that you know is wrong. Vere naturally desires to aid Billy Bud in his defense, yet he is inhibited by his lawfully commitment. This is in large part due to his paternal instinct, something that is very significant in this discussion. Of him, one can read that “The father in him, manifested towards Billy thus far in the scene, was replaced by the military disciplinarian But Captain Vere was now again motionless standing absorbed in thought. But , he vehemently exclaimed ‘Struck dead by an angel of God! Yet the angel must hang!’” (Herman 19). These dramatic lines not only evidence his father-like demeanor, but also that Captain Vere considers Billy Bud to be angelic. In addition, Vere’s switch from a loving father to a disciplinary authority figure implies that Captain Vere must recall that he has a civil responsibility. Captain Vere evidently struggles with the decision to pursue or not pursue that of Billy Bud’s prosecution; as a man of martial duty, Captain Vere is compelled to act lawfully, despite his inner rebellion. This conflict of private conscience and civil obedience leads Captain Vere to question where his loyalties lie. Nevertheless, this is not just a problem that is particular to the character; basically everybody would be thrown in a conundrum, the narrator included. In this sense, Merrill writes that “framing the trial is evidence that the narrator, for one, still sympathizes with Vere’s handling of an admitted moral dilemma” (Robert 290). The question of whose code to honor arises frequently throughout the text, as it exposes the difficulty in honoring the moral codes one has inwardly created, especially when they come into conflict with the laws created by man. As these are meant to work for the greater good of humanity as a whole, Captain Vere wrangles with his moral conviction, for it conflicts with civil justice. Therefore, Captain Vere is troubled by his pursuit of Billy Bud due to his commitment to civil obedience.
Even though many would interpret that Captain Vere is unfair or unjust, in his position against Billy Bud, if one takes into account his civil responsibility, he is conducting himself in a just way. As previously stated, the choice between moral and civil responsibility is not an easy selection to make, and one could see the whole novel as an examination of this ethical problem. Many would suggest that Captain Vere is acting in an unfair way due to Captain Vere’s somewhat forced choice to fully prosecute Billy Bud.. The captain’s detractors would probably sustain their arguments on compassionate feelings toward Billy Bud, who is very charismatic, as sustained before; nevertheless, somebody’s personality is not a reason to let them go unpunished. Although Billy Bud is innocent, in spite of Claggart’s mutinous claims and his accidental murder, there are consequences for his actions. Even though Billy Bud had no intention of killing Claggart, his violent behavior can in no way go unanswered, for “the raising of a hand” against a superior officer, as Claggart was, results in capital punishment. “Vere is to be seen as a noble figure whose decision, however painful, is the unpleasant duty of one who sees into the tragic heart of life” (Robert 291). Billy Bud must be held responsible for his actions, whether they were intentional or not. Therefore, Vere has a duty to see that justice is done, which means executing the eponymous character. As Melville himself states it in the novel, “In a legal view the apparent victim of the tragedy was he who had sought to victimize a man blameless; and the indisputable deed of the latter, navally regarded, constituted the most heinous of military crimes.” (Herman 21). This statement shows that, even though Billy Bud is characterized as the victim of slander, in Claggart is the actual victim of the situation. Billy is made a victim by Claggart’s constant harrassment, which compromises Billy’s nature; some could even argue that this would make the titular character blameless, in fact. Nevertheless, Claggart is still the true final victim, as he suffers the beating that Billy Bud inflicts upon him, and which led to his death. Therefore, one can conclude that, due to Billy Bud’s inability to control his temper, he must inevitably face the consequences of his actions, despite the context that causes him to reach that point of aggravation. Captain Vere is just in his actions against Billy Bud; as an officer of status, he has to uphold the lawful structure that maintains order aboard the ship. As previously discussed, according to the law which contemplates the murder of a naval officer, the perpetrator must receive capital punishment, whether it was voluntary manslaughter or not. The code represents man’s need of judicial order, and Vere acts towards this cause. In this sense, there is the belief that, without this kind of law in action, people would be in a savage state of chaos. For Merrill, one should empathize with the captain and feel anguish, not remorse, supporting “Vere’s belief that man’s institutions are his only protection against ‘innate depravity” (Robert 291). This implies that the state of nature of humankind is chaotic and aggressive, so men have made necessary institutions to keep from killing each other. This quote implies that if everybody acted in accordance to their innermost desires, mass chaos would be created; one way to interpret this would be to attribute it to the singular nature of beliefs in humans. In this sense, if Captain Vere would have acted by the commands of his heart, the Bellipotent would surely be over-run with mutiny. Thus, by prosecuting Billy Bud, Captain Vere is acting in accordance with civil law, which is designed for the enhancement of naval order, and the organization of humankind as a whole. Therefore, when one takes into account civil law and its purpose, one easily comes to the conclusion that that Captain Vere acted justly by executing Billy Bud. Though Captain Vere’s actions are seemingly unjust with regards to Billy Bud’s innocence, they definitely contributed towards the greater good of those around him. Billy Bud’s death is a sad and heartbreaking tragedy, being executed for an involuntary crime against a superior. In spite of this, both Captain Vere and Billy Bud understood that his death would indeed aid in the greater good of those around them, and that Captain Vere’s behavior does not correspond to his true will. For, “Billy Bud’s lasts wordsindicate that he, too, understands his adversary’s plight, that he acknowledges Vere’s conscious and painful adherence to an ultimately impersonal code for which the larger society is responsible” (Roland 374). Billy Bud understands that Captain Vere has is in an ethical paradox, and that his moral and civic responsibilities are very important to him, which is what finally results in the titular character’s murder. Therefore, Bud comprehends that Captain Vere’s actions are not of his singular will, but in relation to a code where “the larger society is responsible”. Even though this obviously reveals his ethical inclination towards moral and civic responsibilities, one can easily see that it is not whimsical or egoistic. Meanwhile, one understands Captain Vere’s actions only in the light of the effect it may have on the others, as he is personally against the action that he commits. Billy Bud’s death aids in the greater good of his fellow shipmates because, as both Billy Bud and Captain Vere are aware, the simple mention of rebellion could spread to several shipmates aboard the Bellipotent. Melville beautifully demonstrates the power of words, including their viral nature, when he writes, “The word mutiny was not named in what he said. He refrained too from making the occasion an opportunity for any preachment as to the maintenance of discipline, thinking perhaps that under existing circumstances in the navy the consequence of violating discipline should be made to speak for itself.” (Herman 23). These sentences indicate that Billy Bud’s death serves as an example to those who threaten the hierarchy of the naval system. Thus, this tragic event benefits those around him; if his consequences had gone without a consequence, the lack of judgment could have possibly incited mutiny. Additionally, by executing Billy Bud, the consequence of the incident that he was involved in would be reduced to less chaotic levels. According to Eugene Goodheart, “the blessing calms the crew, but it fails to console Vere” (Eugene 90), whose final days are filled with torment of the soul. This act of retributive justice is filled with mercy, as Billy Bud’s shipmates, are disposed of their charge of rebellion, aiding everybody. Thus, due to the aforementioned “example” that Billy Bud is made into, the likeliness of rebellion is effectively reduced. In summary, Captain Vere’s execution of Billy Bud decreases the likely-hood of mutiny, which thus works to the benefit of those aboard the Bellipotent, making them more understandable and necessary.
Another way to see the justice in Captain Vere’s execution of Billy Bud would be to explore the biblical dimensions of the event. Despite the compassionate sentiments one may have for Billy Bud, if fully examined, Captain Vere’s execution is completely in line with biblical doctrine. One of the most famous events in this collection of books is Christ’s crucifixion, and it is very similar to Billy Bud’s execution, as they both serve as the penalty for a crime and are actually done for their brethren. According to Goodheart, “Melville here exploits the typological tradition in Christian thought, which views the coming of Christ as a redeeming answer to Adam’s fallen condition” (Eugene 90). In this sense, another manner in which Captain Vere behaves like a father to Billy Bud is by having the same relation to him as God the Father did to Jesus Christ. In the same way that Christ must die for the sins of the world, so must Billy Bud must die for both his actions and the sake of the ship. Both Captain Vere and God are willing to sacrifice their sons for crimes that they did not actually want to do, so as to save those around them.
Although Captain Vere would like to be merciful towards Billy Bud, he understands that events have consequences, as God the Father did as well. Furthermore, Captain Vere is just in the Billy Bud’s prosecution, as God was as well, doing what was correct and necessary, even it if meant killing his son. Both Captain Vere and God honor a code that has the need for capital punishment. They are both required to inflict just castigations because they possess great authority, in spite of the circumstances in which the supposedly criminal action was done. One can read in Billy Budd that “a martial court must needs in the present case confine its attention to the blow’s consequence, which consequence justly is to be deemed not otherwise than as the striker’s deed.” (Herman 21). This sentence shows that, as in a law court, one’s attention should be centered upon the deed itself, disregarding the context under which it was done. Therefore, if one takes a biblical perspective, Captain Vere is just is his prosecution of Billy Bud, enforcing the consequence of man’s actions, as a result of his civil responsibility, as God does as well. Furthermore, Billy Bud’s death benefits those around him, as did Christ’s; in this way, both of these characters make sacrifices for the greater good. Just as Billy Bud resembles Christ, Captain Vere resembles God, intervening to prevent mass destruction, a rebellion that would almost surely have happened on the vessel. In this same way, “Because of Billy’s nobility, Vere must make the most painful of decisions in condemning him to death” (Robert 288). Captain Vere chose to execute Billy Bud, as not doing so would have caused great chaos. Similarly, God sent down his only son so that He might redeem humans after their fall from Grace, many millennia before. Both God and Captain Vere took decisions that sacrified just one person to save the lives of others; however, this was not just any person, but their own son. Thus, one can conclude that Captain Vere is biblically just in executing the titular character.
Even though there are many critics who personally disagree with Captain Vere’s execution of Billy Bud, this was a fair action beyond the shadow of a doubt. Despite his internal struggles with this event that implies his assumption of his civil responsibilities, Captain Vere acts in a just way by prosecuting Billy Bud. According to the laws that are sustained aboard the Bellipotent, killing a naval officer has the penalty of capital punishment, regardless the context in which it occurred; Capitan Vere only executes this policy, although it ends up tormenting his soul. In addition, Captain Vere does the correct thing if one considers the Bible as a source of morality because he sacrifices his son for the greater good of man, something that God did as well. Therefore, based on the circumstances of the vessel that they are in, one can conclude that Captain Vere’s actions were fair, although he knows that Billy Bud’s violent actions were caused by him being provoked. It is fascinating to see how so much moral and human complexity can be packed into a literary masterpiece.
Works Cited
Duerksen, Roland A. "Caleb Williams, Political Justice, And Billy Budd." American Literature 38.3 (1966): 372. Academic Search Complete. Web. 8 May 2015.
Melville, Herman. “Billy Bud”. Eagle Online. Houston Community College, 2015. Web. 27 April. 2015.
Goodheart, Eugene. “‘Billy Budd’ and the World’s Imperfection”. The Sewanee Review 114.1 (2006): 81-92. The Johns Hopkins University Press. PDF.
Merrill, Robert. “The Narrative Voice in Billy Budd”. EBSCO Publishing. 283-291. PDF.
