Holy Allusions in essays

Holy Allusions in essays Throughout the story Billy Budd, the author Herman Mellville creates numerous biblical allegories with the events and characters that he devises. Billy Budd, a pure and innocent young man, is impressed by the Bellipotent. On the ship he is adored by all of his crewmates except the ships jealous master-at-arms John Claggart. Claggarts dislike for Billy grows into an intense hatred. During a confrontation between the two, Billys stuttering problem takes over and he thrashes out physically. Billy accidentally kills Claggart and is sentenced to death. The life and death of Billy can be compared to the biblical figures of Jesus Christ and Adam. The story of Ananias from the Bible is also referenced by the jealousy of Claggart and his deceitful plan to destroy him. Captain Vere, like Pontius Pilate when he judges Jesus, knows Billy to be innocent but feels he must follow the law and put Billy to death. These biblical allusions as well as many others add depth to the story and emphas ize the struggle between good and evil. A significant comparison in the novel is the portrayal of Billy as Adam before the fall. Much like Adam, Billy is oblivious to the surrounding evils until he encounters the serpent, Claggart. Billy was like a young horse fresh from the pasture suddenly inhaling a vile whiff from some chemical factory, and by repeated snorting trying to get it out of his nostrils and lungs (Melville 36). As for the evil temptation in the story of Adam, there are several comparisons between Claggart and the snake. When he approaches Billy, accusing him of planning mutiny, his eyes are compared to a serpents: The first mesmeric glance was that of serpent fascination (Melville 49). Another comparison is made when Claggarts body is being thrown into the sea. The surgeon says, It was like handling a dead snake (Melville 50). Billys downfall i...