Billy Budd as Christ In this novel, Billy Budd, Melville acts as a "Creator", as he gives Billy Budd some superhuman qualities, which allow him to possess the characteristics of the servant of God. Billy Budd appears Christ-like, due to his peacemaking abilities. However, he is a peacemaker who will fight for what he believes in and to keep the peace. At the beginning of the novel, when Red Whiskers gives Billy Budd trouble, he hits him with a powerful blow and has no more trouble with him. or even the crew. Melville then foreshadows how Billy will use the same tactic the next time he comes across a bully like Red Whiskers. It seems ironic that the names of the ships progress through history. Billy Budd goes from Rights of Man to Bellipotente, then appears to make a change as a minister being ordained Bishop. Bellipotent means a good vessel, as belli- means gentle and -potent means strong and powerful. Melville seems to want his audience to think of the ships as Christ-like symbols as well. As in another story, Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown, a young man is too eager to meet his destiny. Billy Budd is not the least bit hesitant when Lieutenant Ratcliffe wants him into the service of King George III. Billy Budd goes from a peaceful merchant ship to a ship at war, full of weapons and military discipline. Melville is suggesting here that Billy will prefer to endure a lot of trouble and hardship by entering this service. Billy Budd acts as the bow cabinet on this ship, which leads the audience to wonder if he is doing this by the grace of God, to bring about a change in the ship, or is playing with fate. At the time this novel is set, there were wars going on, which were later called the Great Mutiny (a time when sailors rebelled against their own). This explains much of the story Melville is trying to show. Melville presents Captain Vere as a devoted officer who allows only obedience to duty and is very strict with discipline. The author has already foreshadowed many things for the audience. It shows us how Billy is destined to get into a fight with at least one shipmate, and could possibly be charged with mutiny, since the thoughts are already in the minds of many officers..