Billy Budd: Captain Vere as a hero

[whereisnomar]

Hey everyone! In my AP literature class we just finished reading Herman Melville's "Billy Budd." My teacher now assigned us an essay, and I am writing about how Captain Vere IS a hero in the story. Basically, I'm pointing out that he made a tough decision morally in order to do what was right for his ship. But I need more ideas and support! SO-- in what ways is Captain Vere a hero/ any ideas where I could quote from?

Thanks you SOOOO MUCH in advance! :smash:

[whereisnomar]

Maybe that he was trying to comfort Billy through tough times?

[hellsapoppin]

How exactly is Vere a ''hero''? Perhaps if you gave a definition as to what constitutes a hero and then give an example to illustrate it, I may agree with the use of that term.

When I was in law school well before the turn of the century we did NOT view him that way. Instead, we viewed him as a rigid conformist who adhered to the letter of the law while disregarding the spirit of the law. Of course, he was motivated by what he thought was for the greater good of naval law and the royal crown. Thus, duty was to overrule moral right. When he died he muttered 'Billy Budd, Billy Budd' which shows that in his heart and conscience he knew he did wrong but felt that his hand was forced.

The narrative tells that there had been mutinies taking place at that time. Vere was motivated, he thought, by a desire to prevent further mutinies. If Vere is a 'hero' at all it is because his rigid actions may have prevented further mutiny (we do not know for a fact that his actions did so). But he insured that other seamen would continue to be abused by officers with impunity under rule of law.

Ask yourself this --- when Nazi officers were questioned after World War II, they were asked ''why did you kill innocent Jews?'' Many answered, 'I was only doing my duty'. They also set aside conscience and adhered to the rigid rule of the Nazi regime. Did this make them 'heroes''?

Duty may call. But does rigid adherence make one a hero in late 18th century Britain or 20th century Nazi Germany? The British navy and the Nazi SS would have said yes in both circumstances. But to us as people with modern day consciences, do we or should we harbor the same belief?

[whereisnomar]

I suppose my definition of a her would include someone who just grins and bears his responsibility, and realizes that while each human life is of course sacred, the upholding of laws makes it so that EVERYONE receives fairness and justice. Perhaps he didn't want Billy Budd to die, but Billy did break the law and Vere had to punish him for it. A hero would be (in this case) someone who puts the needs of society above the needs of an individual because eventually that will protect society as a whole. Strange definition, I know, but I believe it is a fitting one.

[Nick Capozzoli]

If Vere is a hero, he is a tragic hero, which is to say that he was forced to make a choice (to condemn Billy Budd) against his personal feelings in the matter. Glaggart was clearly a nasty bastard, but he was Budd's superior officer on the ship. Budd struck him down in a fit of rage that could be justified, based on the facts in the story. Martial maritime law at the time did not excuse Budd's homicide.

Vere, in my opinion was a coward. As Captain of the ship and head of Budd's Court Martial, he could have found Budd not guilty. Such a coeard can not be a hero of any kind. Vere certainly lamented his decision, but in doing so he was no better than any number of later Nazi's who may have lamented their decisions while they were just "following orders."

The hero of this story is Billy Budd himself, who not only understood Vere's conundrum, but went to the gallows saying "God bless Captain Vere."

[hellsapoppin]

NC,

A superb analysis of that great novella!

[hellsapoppin]

''A hero would be (in this case) someone who puts the needs of society above the needs of an individual because eventually that will protect society as a whole.''


w,

Could a 'hero' possibly be someone who utilizes the spirit of the law rather than its strict letter in compliance with the New Testament teaching on that subject?

“The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” II Corinthians 3:6


Had these people adhere to Christian law (that is, its theoretical equivalent) Billy Budd and the rest of the navy could well have flourished with Vere having fulfilled his duty.

[Nick Capozzoli]

''A hero would be (in this case) someone who puts the needs of society above the needs of an individual because eventually that will protect society as a whole.''

Maybe. But only if the "hero" put the needs of society above his own needs...and in this case you would have to argue that Vere sacrificed his desire to spare Budd to the needs of Matitime Law and Maritime society. That is hardly a "sacrifice" worthy of the name. Budd was the one who had to forfeit his life. All that Vere had to sacrifice was his humanity.

[hellsapoppin]

Actually, that was w's definition, not mine.

When ships sailed the Seven seas, they would begin with prayers and invocations for supernatural protection against storms and attackers. Because of that, they promised to adhere to divine or natural law in return for protection. As such, natural law would appear to call for nullification of the maritime law. A 'hero' in this regard would go outside of the norm and apply nullification. Or possibly so.

[Nick Capozzoli]

Actually, that was w's definition, not mine.

When ships sailed the Seven seas, they would begin with prayers and invocations for supernatural protection against storms and attackers. Because of that, they promised to adhere to divine or natural law in return for protection. As such, natural law would appear to call for nullification of the maritime law. A 'hero' in this regard would go outside of the norm and apply nullification. Or possibly so.

Very good point, HAP. In the case of Billy Budd, that divine/natural law would have excused Budd's striking Claggart. Vere chose to follow the Maritime Law rather than the "natural" law.