Question 2
Claggart is given a traditional military funeral and burial. The event is quite honourable and respectful of a man who served the country. The burial has little grandeur and special events, but is held in perfect military custom. This event is quite ironic, as it is very opposite of Claggart's life. Typically, funerals are representative of the life of the person, but in the case of Claggart's funeral, it represents what John Claggart should have been, rather then what he was.
Claggart had a rather dishonest life, as he spoke and acted in trickery, and was never trying to achieve the best for anyone. By contrast, his burial represented the traditional sailor's life, one of honour and servitude of a country.
Claggart had a rather dishonest life, as he spoke and acted in trickery, and was never trying to achieve the best for anyone. By contrast, his burial represented the traditional sailor's life, one of honour and servitude of a country.
Question 4
Billy's last words, before his death by hanging, are; "God bless Captain Vere". They are primarily symbolic of the conflict in Captain Vere. He likes Billy as a person and a sailor, but he has to follow the rules of his code, and have Billy hanged. The statement also demonstrates that Billy understands Captain Vere's predicament and agrees with his decision. It shows that Billy is a good person and will stick with his captain until the end.
http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/Mausoleum/Miniatures_Images/As_HangedMan.jpg
A hanging man, usually a gruesome affair, but in billy's case, quite peaceful.
http://www.fraternityofshadows.com/Mausoleum/Miniatures_Images/As_HangedMan.jpg
A hanging man, usually a gruesome affair, but in billy's case, quite peaceful.
Question 2
ReplyDeleteThis response is generally correct, except the fact that, instead of the funeral representing what John Claggart should have been, it should be that it represent what he wanted to be. In this case, Claggart's funeral also represented what Billy's should have been like. Claggart should have been the one to hang and Billy the one to receive such an honour, such a small incident resulted in the complete opposite ending one would have expected, Billy Budd could be a piece of dramatic irony.
Question 4
It could be possible for Billy to understand and agree with Vere's decision, but it could also be possible that Billy doesn't know about Vere's influence on the court at all. It would be nice to think that Billy is such an understanding person, but I do not see it that way.