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. Where is John Claggart buried?

2. In the article about the Bellipotent, how is Billy Budd presented?

3. Who prepares Billy's body for burial?

4. How does Melville characterize sailors in general?

5. Which two characters are Claggart's messmates?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Billy cry out "God bless Captain Vere!" moments before his execution?

2. Why does Captain Vere insist that the drumhead court render judgment according to the Mutiny Act?

3. Describe the drumhead court that convenes in chapter 21.

4. Why isn't the chaplain worried about Billy's impending judgment?

5. What explanations are given for the odd nature of Billy's death?

6. What accusation does Claggart bring against Billy?

7. Describe Claggart's funeral.

8. How does Captain Vere view Billy before the foretopman is confronted with the accusation of mutiny?

9. How does Captain Vere explain Billy's execution to the crew?

10. How does Melville compare Billy's death to Jesus' crucifixion?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How is sarcasm used in the novel? Compare the use of sarcasm with deception. How does Billy's innocence contrast with Claggart's sarcasm? How does it affect his perception of the sarcasm? What did Claggart really mean when he said, "Handsomely done, my lad! And handsome is as handsome did it, too!"

Essay Topic 2

What role does the social community on board the Bellipotent play in the novel? How are the characters affected by the extended amount of time they spend living and working together in a relatively small area? How are conflicts resolved among crew members? How do unresolved conflicts affect the characters in the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast Captain Vere, Captain Bligh and Admiral Nelson. How does each man's command style affect his crew? How does each man's personality affect his relationship with his crew, and how does that relationship affect the morale of the crew?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,266 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample