<p>Questions to Answer While You Watch “Billy Budd”</p><p>Since the questions are constructed to help you focus on the ideas in the story, read them before you watch the film. You may want to quick-write your answers and write complete sentences after the movie ends.</p><p>1. In the opening moments of the film, Billy sings a song that foreshadows something to come. What does the song suggest?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>2. What else happens in the opening moments that foreshadow an unhappy outcome to the situation in which Billy finds himself?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>3. Billy is welcomed aboard by the crew members who soon find that Billy has a problem, a flaw in his perfection. What is it?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>4. What is revealed about Claggart’s past when the Caption and the ship’s officer talk about him?</p><p>Notes:______</p><p>5. On deck at night when Billy and Claggart talk, Billy offers friendship. Claggart seems repulsed and sends Billy away. Why does Claggart respond this way?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>1 6. Squeak is an important character because he helps Claggart find reasons to punish the crew members. What keeps Squeak under Claggart’s control?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>7. The youngest of the three jurors on the court marshal jury, Wyatt, comes close to refusing to punish Billy. Why does he change his mind?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>8. In spite of their anger, the crew turns away from rebellion. What causes them to return to their duties?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>9. What feeling causes Billy to cry out his blessing to Captain Vere?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>10. What happens to Captain Vere at the story’s end?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>11. The voiceover at the end of the film leaves suggests an important idea. What is it?</p><p>Notes______</p><p>Suggested Quick Writing Assignments: </p><p>2 1. Were you a member of the jury deciding Billy’s fate, what outcome would you support and what would you argue in favor of this position?</p><p>2. Discuss the use of contrasts in Billy Budd, both in terms of art, such as the contrasts between black and white, dark and light, and in terms of character, such as good and evil, young and old.</p><p>3</p>