BillyBudd&The Symbolism Within

In the book "Billy Budd", written by Herman Meville, there are many references to the bible. Billy Budd, the main character, is portrayed as a biblical figure that is caught in the real world of war and mutiny. There are also many other different types of symbolism throughout this book. The story starts out in the eighteenth century, on the H.M.S Rights-of-Man, a British naval ship. Billy Budd is pressured into service on …

…The mast where he is hung resembles a cross, and his death is a symbolic crucifixion. After he passes away, the dawn of a new day comes, and light is shed on the darkness of the ship. It goes with out saying that Billy's death was not in vain. Although he may not have offered salvation to the world as Jesus did, his life and death changed the lives of the people that know him.