Billy Budd, Sailor

Vere vows to act quickly and discretely. He convenes a small court and serves as the only witness. Billy supports Vere’s version of events but claims that Claggart lied about everything regarding the mutiny. Vere supports Billy’s story. Billy, close to hysterics, thanks him before stating that there was no enmity between him and Claggart, and that his death was not intentional. He also denies any knowledge of a conspiracy, and the court accepts his statement.

When Vere asks why Claggart would lie about him, Billy can’t answer. Vere says only a dead man—meaning Claggart—can answer the question. He tells the jury that they can only weigh actions and consequences, not motives or intentions. The court wants more context about Claggart’s accusations, but Vere refuses to proceed, saying that context is irrelevant in comparison to Billy’s killing of Claggart. Billy has nothing to add and returns to the stateroom where he is detained. Vere paces and thinks before arguing with the jurors about the gulf between Billy’s intentions and his actions. After deliberating, the jury votes to execute Billy by hanging him at dawn.