View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a possible cause for Claggart's behavior towards Billy?

2. Who is Billy Budd?

3. Which character is considered by others to be the most attractive in every aspect?

4. Why does Melville claim that certain men are morally depraved?

5. How is John Claggart's appearance described in chapter eight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What advice does the Dansker give Billy about his confrontation with the afterguardsman?

2. How does Billy's threat of physical force when confronted by the afterguardsman foreshadow his downfall?

3. How do the officers aboard the Bellipotent view Captain Vere?

4. How do the sailors on board the Bellipotent view John Claggart?

5. Which one of the seven deadly sins drives Claggart to destroy Billy?

6. What is a "Handsome Sailor"?

7. What is Billy's one flaw?

8. What changes the face of naval warfare in the 18th century?

9. What is a mutiny?

10. Describe Billy's background.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss Melville's theory of moral depravity. How does innate moral depravity compare to moral depravity caused by licentious (sexually immoral) living? What evidence does Melville give to prove that Claggart is suffering from a form of insanity that manifests itself as innate moral depravity?

Essay Topic 2

What role does the Dansker play in the novel? How does Billy view the Dansker? How does the Dansker view Billy? Why does Dansker feel the need to clarify the events around Billy without offering advice on how to cope with those events?

Essay Topic 3

What role does fate play in the novel? Which characters accept their proposed fates and which characters appear to struggle against fate? How does fate affect justice?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,066 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample