Billy Budd Sailor

While Moby Dick is Herman Melvilles best known book Billy Budd Sailor is considered by many to be his greatest work.Billy a foundling from Bristol has an innocence good looks and a natural charisma that make him popular with the crew. His only physical defect is a stutter which grows worse when under intense emotion. He arouses the antagonism of the ships master-at-arms John Claggart. Claggart while not unattractive seems somehow defective or abnormal next to Billy. Despite Claggarts animosity towards him Billy saves Claggarts life further infuriating the man. Claggart then accuses Billy of conspiring to mutiny. Billy dumfounded by the accusation becomes unable to defend himself against Claggarts words because of his stuttering and in frustration strikes the lying Claggart with a blow so powerful that it kills the man instantly.In the ensuing trial Melville explores good and evil justices and mercy right and wrong and natural law verses mans law.A Masterpiece for the Ages!