Billy Budd free essay sample

This paper discusses the theme of choosing between ones duty and ones heart with special emphasis on Melvilles character, Captain Vere. This paper provides a brief summary of Herman Melvilles classic novel, Billy Budd. The author discusses one of the main themes of the tale- an individuals need to choose between following orders and following the heart. Often a person is torn between doing his duty, and doing what is right. This is a common problem to many people in everyday life, a problem that can have terrible results, such as death. Many authors have had to deal with making a tough choice, and so they try to capture the struggle between duty and heart in their books. A prime example of this is Billy Budd by Herman Melvill e. In this novel, Captain Vere was the man who found himself in a difficult position, where he had a hard decision to make. We will write a custom essay sample on Billy Budd or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Billy had murdered the master-at-arms on board the ship, and so his punishment in military law was for Billy to be hung. It was the captains duty to see this sentence carried out. On the other hand, Captain Vere cared a great deal for Billy.