Has any work of American literature generated more controversy than Herman Melville’s Billy Budd? The main question that Billy Budd generates is whether we should admire or admonish Captain Vere for his decision to sentence Billy Budd to death by public hanging. Most people are alarmed by Captain Vere’s decision to order the execution of Billy Budd. Many philosophers have written codes of conduct and the duties of military commanders and their responsibilities …showed first 75 words of 1380 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1380 total…that troops must be treated with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. He also believes that soldiers should be treated as your children, for they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as beloved sons, and they will stand by you unto death. (pg141) Captain Vere demonstrates this trait of a military leader. At the time of his own death, Billy cries out “God bless Captain Vere” (pg 100)