Billy Budd: 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.”

Billy Budd By Herman Melville Study Help Quiz

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