Herman Melvilles Billy Budd - Billy Budd as Allegorical Figure :: Herman Melville Billy Budd Essays

Billy Budd as Allegorical Figure An allegory is a symbolic story. Herman Melville's Billy Budd is an example of an allegory. The author uses the protagonist Billy Budd to symbolize a superior being who has a perfect appearance and represents goodness. Melville shows the reader that a superior being can be an innocent victim of evil and eventually destroyed. In, Melville's Billy Budd, the main character is an allegorical figure who symbolizes all goodness in men. Billy Budd's image is symbolic. He symbolizes one who is perfect in appearance. Budd is strong and handsome. He is the center of attention and compared to the "Handsome Sailor." (THAAL, pg. 2512) Melville uses an allusion to compare the "Handsome Sailor" and the eye of the constellation Taurus. His comparison also shows that Billy, like the "Handsome Sailor," is popular. Also, the comparison with the "Handsome Sailor" shows Billy as a handsome character. A comparison is also made between Billy and a "mighty boxer or wrestler." (THAAL, pg. 2513) The author wants the reader to see that Billy has strength as well as beauty. He also goes on to make an allusion between "young Alexander", Alexander the Great, and Billy to create an image of a powerful figure. (THAAL, pg. 2513) Melville compares Billy's physical appearance to that of Alexander the conqueror creating an image of a superior being. Billy is an "honest soul" and wants simple peace and quiet. (THAAL, pg. 2514) The simple peace that he seeks may represent the romantic view of a noble savage, who has goodness because he is untainted by the corruption in society. Melville has interest in the noble savage and creates Billy Budd to represent this idea. Billy seems naturally good with no sins in his character. He lives a simple and serious life. For example, when Claggart makes fun of him, Billy does not understand the "humor" in his statement. (THAAL, pg. 2532) Another example that shows Billy's simple character fearfully witnesses a flogging. Billy has never experienced punishment and is afraid of this unknown. He is also naive about evil. When told, by the Dansker, that Claggart, the master at arms, is down on him, Billy is doubtful of the Dansker's words. He replies by saying: "What for?