Presumption of Innocence of Billy Budd - Essay Example

Task: Billy Budd Presumption of innocence in Billy Budd’s Herman Melville is question that becomes apparent at the onset of reading. However, this change with time as different occasions prevails. In the story, Billy Budd is a seaman motivated to join HMS Bellipotent in 1797 at a time when revolutionary French ambitions were contrary to the royal navy’s interests. During their journey, he gets impressed with various things hence the ability to change to prolong the stay. The natural Charisma and openness at seas makes him find favour with different people (Melville 21). As a result, he becomes popular at the main and sub-areas within the ship. Not known to many, this becomes a pivotal point for the problems. Despite Melville presenting an array of ideas about Billy Bud, the paper focuses on his intent to portray Melville as an influenced innocent person. The hindsight shows how Melville tries to guide readers into resolving the paradox. Melville’s presumption of Billy’s innocence Arguably, Billy is affable, and the striking good look opens his doors for association with different people. He has not traversed the world, but can control the surrounding environment by attracting people with different looks. Based on the novel, he has never confronted evil at twenty-one years of age making him a saint rather than a sinner (Melville 25). The disturbing perception attracts reader’s attention. Nevertheless, in ordinary circumstances, nobody in the real world has failed to confront sin even at ten years. Many people kill small animals, hull abuses or even disregard their parent’s advice to do contrary things. Therefore, this prompts readers on how one remains innocent from a tender age to middle youth positions. It is unimaginable how one can reach the peak of his youthful age without making any wrong. From this perspective, Billy’s background raises many questions; however, this stops with Melville’s details. Apart from the perception that Billy Bud is innocent and has never done anything to affect his life. He also brings on board the good looks as a factor contributing to his problems. As a result of the charming and good look, many people around him like him. In this regards, Melville paints him as a good person who does not cause any problem except for the good looks. Because of the naivety, he believes everybody likes him and always him wish the best. Evidently, this perception remains adamant in a major part of the story where, Melville uses his knowledge to portray the good looks as a virtue (Melville 29). Certainly, the turn of events is imminent when Billy develops a prudent cynicism same to Dansker. According to Melville, Billy appreciates the entire environment around him to the extent that he does not recognise any malice from other people. For example, when Claggart makes a bad joke about his accident with the soup, he takes it as a normal friendship gesture. From this perspective, Melville tells readers that Billy’s innocence curtains all the expectations. Interestingly, his innocence and the open-heart nature make him misjudge different issues that require serious attention. According to Herman, Billy’s problems arise from a combination between evil influence from the outside world and innocence. The weakness beyond comprehension accosted with naïve trust exposes affects him to the harsh world full of people ready to take advantage. In addition to the good looks, the author also raises concern of the speech impediments. Conceivably, Billy has a speech impediment that does not allow him defend his position or any accusation. In the instance, Billy’s favour among many people in the dock attracts antagonism with the ship’s master of arms who happens to be John Claggart (Melville 32). Therefore, when Claggart accuses him of mutiny he does not take it easily but cannot defend against the same issues. For example, when Captain Edward Fairfax summons both parties into his cabin for a private meeting he does more than expected. From this perspective, Melville uses the speech impediment to portray a physical problem in the offing for Billy. Billy’s mental and emotional shortcoming takes over his innocence at the captain’s cabin when he accidentally strikes Claggart to death. According to Melville, is it not Billy’s sin or expertise that motivates him to kill the accuser but the mental and emotional problems, accosted with inability to speak freely. From this perspective, the author makes sure to blame Billy’s action on external forces that induce the new events. Vere, many problems, convenes when a drum beat court martial come into light that further proves Billy’s innocence. For instance, he remains the prosecutor, convening authority and defences counsel. In any normal justice system, there should be a non-partial judge, prosecutor and defence. Each party should have a chance to air their grievance and call for a witness if any exist. Contrary to this expectation, Vere is the only prosecutor, witness, convening authority and defence counsel. Despite bringing into light Billy’s moral innocence, he wants him prosecuted. For example, when he says an angel of God struck Claggart; however, the angel must die. How Melville tries to guide readers into resolving the paradox The military code at the time when Billy strikes Claggart, points out to death as the only solution. Melville paints Captain Vere as an intelligent, fair-minded and well-read officer charged with the responsibility, to uphold his duty. Melville uses the elements of justice to resolve the paradox mixing innocence, moral judgement, and evil influence. For example, the idea that he has to die suggests how difficult it is for innocent people to survive in the world. Nevertheless, Melville takes attention from the death scene shifting attention from captain Vere. He believes the security of the nation is at stake and he has to keep the ship in order. At the same time, he recognises Billy’s innocence but cannot contravene his sworn authority. From this perspective, Melville uses the existing antagonism between evil and good to explain Billy’s scenario. In essence, the general idea presented by Melville is the ability of evil to succeed good, which ultimately forces Billy to die (Melville 39). Captain Vere is the Pontius Pilate, in a Christian allegory according to Melville’s guide in the book. In law, anybody who strikes and kills another must face a death sentence. Captain Vere has a moral responsibility but cannot take responsibility for Billy’s actions. On the same note, readers are likely to believe that Vere acted wrongly by applying the law instead of following his heart. Therefore, to resolve the stalemate, the novel remains ambiguous on the future of Vere. Evidently, this keeps readers questioning different actions instead of coming into a conclusion on what happens after the death. For example, it is not clear whether Vere suffers from his guilt by instituting the law instead of conscience. Evidently, this solves the paradox in the story that makes it easy for readers to understand the scenario. Before, his last death Vere’s last words are Billy’s names sensing the guilt. Conclusion In conclusion, Melville portrays Billy’s innocence from different perspectives. He believes at the age of twenty-one; he has not indulged into any evil things. In as much as this is unbelievable, the purity makes him volatile from any external forces. Additionally, he is a good looking and charming individual whose popularity among the different workers in the ship attracts problems. For example, the antagonism and popularity make Claggart accuse him falsely. However, the provocation of his innocence does not stop until he strikes Claggart against the wrong accusations. In resolving the paradox, Melville guides readers by shifting attention from captain Vere and bringing into light the fact that evil fights the good. Furthermore, he puts into perspective military code responsible for Billy’s death. Works Cited Melville, Herman. Billy Budd, Sailor. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, 2014. Print Read More