Chapter 23 Summary

The crew knows that the master-at-arms and the foretopman had gone to the Captain's cabin; they don't know anything else. All hands are called at dogwatch (6:00 a.m.), however, so they know something is amiss. The captain explains what has happened and that the sailor who killed the master-at-arms will be executed in the early morning watch. Claggart's body is buried at sea with all the funeral honors pertaining to his grade. Billy Budd's transfer from the captain's quarters is affected without incident, and the only person permitted to communicate with him is the chaplain.

Chapter 23 Analysis

This chapter simply details the formalities required to move the story to its final stage.