Billy Budd's Innocence

Billy Budd’s Innocence In many ways, Herman Melville’s “Billy Budd” is a tragic story. The main character, William Budd has a sort of innocence about him that will prove to assist with his demise. From the beginning it is fate that Billy should die, subtly mentioned in the in the inner workings of the text. This story can also be compared to Jesus’ story, by way of the character’s innocence and punishment. …

…carry that out. I do not believe Vere wants to put Billy to death, but feels he has to make as example out of Billy. His crew might think they can get away with anything otherwise. Billy is an innocent man destined by fate to die, thereby making him a tragic hero. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** Works Cited Melville, Herman. “Billy Budd.” Anthology of American Literature Volume 1: Colonial through Romantic. ed. Leah Jewell. New Jersey: Prentice, 2000. 1250-1308.