Are a person’s actions justifiable regardless of intent? In Herman Melville’s Billy Budd, Sailor, the concept of what is morally right or wrong was debated. Billy’s recklessness of his actions do not justify his death. Billy’s rushed action is morally wrong, for it was not thought out and he killed his superior; however, Billy did not have intent to kill, therefore he did not deserve the punishment he received from his action.
Billy’s rushed action is morally wrong for it was not thought out. Aboard the Bellipotent, John Claggart has a distaste for Billy Budd and accuses him of mutiny. As the shock of the accusation settles, Billy acts out and punches Claggart. Before anything can be done “The next instant, quick as the flame from a discharged
