Billy Budd, Foretopman

novel by Melville

Also known as: “Billy Budd, Sailor”

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History

Billy Budd, Foretopman, novel by Herman Melville, written in 1891 and left unfinished at his death. It was first published in 1924, and the definitive edition was issued in 1962.

Provoked by a false charge, the sailor Billy Budd accidentally kills John Claggart, the satanic master-at-arms. In a time of threatened mutiny, he is hanged, and he goes willingly to his fate.

Melville’s story is particularly noted for its powerful symbolic characterizations—with, for example, Billy Budd as both innocent (Adam) and Christ figure—and for its sympathetic treatment of the ambivalence of Captain Vere toward Billy’s death.

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This article was most recently revised and updated by Alison Eldridge.

Billy Budd, Foretopman

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