CliffsNotes on

Billy Budd

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About the Author

The Early Years
A Life at Sea
The Literary Years
Later Years
A Melville Timeline

About the Novel

Critical Assessment
Sources
Motifs
Subsequent Forms
Character Names
A Brief Synopsis
List of Characters

Summaries and Commentaries

Chapters 1 & 2
Chapters 3–5
Chapters 6 & 7
Chapters 8–10
Chapters 11–13
Chapter 14
Chapters 15–17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapters 20 & 21
Chapters 22 & 23
Chapter 24
Chapters 25–27
Chapters 28–30

Character Analyses

Billy Budd
Claggart
Captain Vere

Critical Essays

Plot
Form
Moral
Purpose
Setting
Narrative Technique
Theme
Style

Study Help

Quiz
Essay Questions

Cite this Literature Note

Which is better, the Twilight books or the movie?

The books.
The movie.

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Study Help

Quiz

1:  The Bellipotent is named after

a. a famous British naval battle

b. an archaic adjective

c. a mythic mountain

d. a mythic warrior
2:  When asked who his father was, Billy said

a. "I never wished to know"

b. "He was a man of the sea"

c. “God knows, sir”

d. "Only my mother knows"
3:  The narrator of Billy Budd is

a. unnamed

b. the Surgeon

c. the Chaplain

d. multiple narrators
4:  Captain Vere is compared favorably to what great naval hero?

a. Horatio Hornblower

b. Captain Ahab

c. Admiral Nelson

d. Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo
5:  On his second day aboard the Bellipotent, Billy Budd tells his troubles to

a. the Chaplain

b. John Claggart

c. Captain Vere

d. the Dansker
6:  What event convinces John Claggart of Billy Budd’s dislike for him?

a. the spilling of soup on the deck

b. overhearing Billy’s discussion with the Chaplain

c. mistaking Billy’s stutter for laughter

d. Billy, disobeying a direct order
7:  A mysterious person tries to entice Billy to a rendevous with the words

a. "A golden prize awaits you"

b. "Tarry not. He abides no sloth"

c. "You will fill more than your pockets tonight!"

d. "There is something in the wind”
8:  The purpose of the clandestine meeting is to

a. discuss mutiny

b. plan a surprise party

c. hold a prayer meeting

d. steal food
9:  Which crew members does Captain Vere decide to bring to his cabin for questioning?

a. Dansker and Claggart

b. Billy and Mr. Mordant

c. the Chaplain and Squeak

d. Claggart and Billy
10:  Billy begins to suppose he is being considered

a. a candidate for promotion

b. a conspirator to mutiny

c. up for punishment because of his behavior during the encounter with the French frigate

d. in need of treatment for his stuttering
11:  Billy’s confrontation with Claggart results in

a. Billy’s promotion to coxswain

b. a stern rebuke from Captain Vere

c. Claggart’s death

d. an apology from Mr. Mordant
12:  The surgeon is disturbed by

a. Captain Vere’s decision to hold an immediate trial

b. Billy’s obvious pleasure at Claggart’s death

c. Captain Vere’s plans for a burial at sea for Claggart

d. Captain Vere’s prejudicial behavior toward Billy
13:  In the confrontation between Billy Budd and the chaplain

a. Billy protests his innocence

b. the chaplain quotes from the Bible

c. Billy remains silent.

d. Mr. Mordant makes a plea for Billy’s life
14:  Billy Budd’s last words are:

a. “God bless Captain Vere!”

b. “I’m glad I killed him!”

c. “It was all an accident!”

d. “God bless his Majesty’s navy!”
15:  Captain Vere’s final words are:

a. “May I be forgiven.”

b. “I acted too hastily.”

c. “The law must be obeyed.”

d. “Billy Budd, Billy Budd.”



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