Free Billy Budd Essays: Innocence in Billy Budd :: Billy Budd Essays

Innocence in Billy Budd                          There is much to be said ab bulge innocence. If single is with innocence than one can do no wrong. But that is not all to be said. Innocence is not always a levelheaded thing. It could make one impartial or blind to certain perversives. Like in the case of Billy Budd. Billy was innocent from evil and therefore could not see the evil of prank Claggart approaching him, out to destroy him. It is known Billys innocence was his down fall by hiding the true evil from his eyes. But why was John Claggart out to destroy Billy?. There are several reasons why John Claggart attempts to destroy Billy Budd. John Claggart wants to destroy Billy because he is extremely suspect of Billys intentions. He has come to believe that Billy is planning a mutiny and wants to take over the ship. Claggart reports this to captain Vere saying, During todays chase an d possible encounter I had seen full to convince him that at least one sailor aboard was dangerous. Meaning that he felt Billy was against them. Claggart felt that Billys big plan was to get in favor of all the men on the ship and then turn them against the captain. Captain Vere responds by having Billy and Claggart meet in private where Claggart can openly accuse Billy of this crime. Fortunately, Claggarts attempt to destroy Billy for mutiny fails because he is struck down by Billy in one blow, ending the matter, just opening a much more serious one. Claggart is also seen as attempting to destroy Billy due to his evil nature in general. Nothing depicts Claggarts evil nature better than the way he looks. His cleanly chiseled chin and cunning violet eyes that can cut lesser sailors with an evil glare. His sick of(p) yellow skin and jet black curly hair they all blood line his character. He is out to destroy Billy because of the constant struggle of bang-up and evil. Billy is in nocent and cannot comprehend evil therefore making him good. People calling Billy baby budd, and handsome sailor just seem to contrast the good in him even more. Claggart was born evil and therefore is evil. Claggart would naturally be out to destroy Billy because he is what he is against. Just good vs. evil in a battle for control. That is why Claggart is naturally out to bring the downfall of Billy Budd.