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Melville's 'Billy Budd.' (Herman Melville)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19970322
Author:Loges, Max L.

Religious representations in Melville's 'Billy Budd' are given focus, where Billy is depicted as Jesus and his rival, John Claggart, as Satan. The interpretation of the literary work has been influenced by historical perspectives, and the use of biblical passages strengthens the analogies in character representations. A fitting example of such analogies is Billy's blow to Claggart's head that led to the latter's death, where it depicts the power of Jesus over the forces of evil. The resurrected memories of Billy in the minds of his fellow seamen represent Christ's resurrection from the dead.

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