Melville begins Chapter 11 with a series of rhetorical questions. “What was the matter with Claggart?” he asks. Whatever it is, how could it have any direct relation to Billy Budd, whom he had never confronted before the soup-spilling episode? Melville muses on the mystery of so deep and spontaneous a hatred, which is heightened by close quarters and unavoidable meetings. He rules out judging Claggart by the standards of normal behavior.
Chapter 13 utilizes one of Melville’s most effective devices—contrast. He has used the device most effectively from page 1, when he vividly contrasts the black Handsome Sailor he once saw in Liverpool with the fair Handsome Sailor of this story. He contrasts the names of the Rights-of-Man and the Bellipotent, as well as the personalities and expectations of Captain Graveling and Lieutenant Ratcliffe. Later, he comments on the age difference between the old Dansker and “Baby” Budd, the upper and lower decks, the ship and land, sailors and civilians, the British fleet and the French fleet, and the warring elements in Claggart’s personality—his envy of Billy and his unreasoning hatred of him.
Envy and antipathy are irreconcilable passions. Claggart envies Billy’s good looks, good health, youth, enjoyment of life, and genuine innocence. This gnawing discontent spawns a murderous hatred. Critics label Melville’s analysis of Claggart’s mixed emotions and malice as one of his finest characterizations.
