In the play Billy Budd, the author, Hermann Melvinne, creates two conflicting character personalities which are portrayed as good and evil. John Claggart Master-At-Arms tries to destroy Billy Budd because he is jealous of Billy's reputation and acceptance among the crew. There is also a conflict involving Captain Vere when he is forced to decide on the fate of Billy Budd after he kills Claggart. Billy is a handsome, young sailor, new to the ship and eager to impress. Billy becomes very popular with the crew. When seeing Billy accepted by the crew it reminds him of the their dislike...
problem with him in any way but finds where authority has evil it will command.

In conclusion Billy was innocent but by failing to see the evil which was upon him he became unable to protect himself from it, being Claggart, who held an authoritarian position higher than him. Captain Vere was also exposed to evil through Claggart by not stripping him of his rank before he began to provoke Billy which then lead to Vere's decision to put Billy to death. Therefore even the good exposed to evil in a position of authority will sarcome to evil retaliations.