In the third chapter of Huston Smith's book, The World's Religion, the author explores the Buddhist religion. Although many have heard of Buddha, they do not understand who he really was, and do not understand his religious beliefs. Huston Smith gives a clear explanation of who Buddha was, why he became a religious man, and identifies the four noble truths.
Huston Smith writes in this chapter that many people question who Buddha was. Through the reading, one finds that Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, was the son of a very wealthy king. He was a man who was known to have a good heart, was very confident, and was a very sophisticated man who respected everyone. His father's vision for him was to become a world conqueror, yet he became something very different.
Although his father tried to keep him connected to the ways of the world, and shield him from its devastation, he still learned about old age, disease, and death. Once he learned of these things, he left his family and worldly possessions in search of enlightenment. Through his searching, he gave up everything. He would only use or consume what he needed to survive. .
Another question people have regarding Buddha is why he became a religious man. Some would say he was born or destined to become a religious man, or leader. Although his father did everything in his power to keep him connected with the world, including giving him all the worldly possessions, including women, his efforts were in vain. He had tried to keep Siddhartha from sickness and death, but the gods made these realities of life known to him. Once he saw death and disease, his worldly treasures became very unimportant to him. He decided to get rid of all his distractions and go on a search for enlightenment.
After learning who Buddha was, and why he became a religious man, Smith discusses the four noble truths. These truths identify the cause of peoples" suffering and why they face it.
The poem is ironic because Billy Budd did not drown, he was hung. ... This quote is ironic because the "criminal" was not a criminal, Billy Budd was a hero in the story. Melville again tries to accuse Billy Budd of being an evil character. ... The context, however, does show a hint of accusation towards Billy Budd. ... The tendency of Melville presenting Billy Budd as evil, strikes an outrageous idea. ...
There are three main characters in Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor: Billy Budd, John Claggart, and Captain Vere. ... Different from Billy Budd, John Claggart is characterized as intelligent and sophisticated. ... He appreciates Billy Budd's innocent charm, but he despairs of sharing it. ... His high-sounding reasons for hanging Billy Budd is just the disguise of his fear. ... Billy Budd, Sailor has a simple plot, but meanwhile contains a variety of meanings. ...
Billy Budd - Individualism There is much to be said about individualism. ... Billy Budd and Ignatius Reilly were both prime examples of individuals. ... Billy Budd has remarkable looks. ... Billy Budd shows the positive side of individualism. ... Billy Budd brought out all the high aspects of it by being a leader and peacemaker to all of his shipmates. ...
Therefore, Claggort was Billy's antagonist throughout Billy Budd. Also symbolic to the novel is the actual demise of both Claggort and Billy Budd. ... Claggort's death completely contrasts with the pure death of Billy Budd. ... In contrast to Claggort, Billy Budd's "welkin-eyes", blonde hair, and tan complexion ultimately portray good. ... Through out the novel Billy Budd is never aware of Claggort's ill will towards him. ...
In Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Melville uses the literary device of foreshadowing to allow the audience to be aware of Billy's inevitable fate before the characters in the novel, thus creating a feeling of suspense within the novel. Melville begins using foreshadowing early in the novel when he describes Billy Budd as a tall handsome sailor that was well adored by mostly all who knew him. ... At this point all the elements of foreshadowing within the novel have finally come together resulting in the climax and resolution within Billy Budd. Without the element of foreshad...
In the novel, Billy Budd by Herman Melville, emotions, and the actions based on them, play a considerable role in the fate of Billy Budd, Claggart and Captain Vere. ... One may wonder if Vere's destiny would go about differently if Billy Budd was still alive. ... Later when Vere is dieing from being wounded by the French, " he was heard to murmur words inexplicable to his attendant-'Billy Budd, Billy Budd," (92 Melville)and although it was not quite in remorse, it may suggest that these strong emotions that Billy unveiled, cause Vere to accept death as Billy accepted it from him. ...
In Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor, readers are introduced to the conflict of good and evil between Billy Budd and Claggart. ... Vere's character is written to be a medium between Billy Budd and Claggart. ... Captain Vere was murmuring Billy Budd. ... Instead he is murmuring, acknowledging what the innocent Billy Budd meant to him and what Billy Budd taught him. Billy Budd taught him that there is a balance between conscience and duty. ...
Billy Budd, by Herman Melville is an allegory; because the characters represent abstract qualities. Billy Budd represents Jesus Christ, Captain Vere represents God, and John Claggart represents Lucifer. ... Billy Budd was an innocent man physically and mentally. ... Billy Budd suffers a similar demise. ... The classic battle between innocence and evil comes alive with symbolism in Herman Melville's allegory, Billy Budd, with Billy Budd, Captain Vere, and Claggart being portrayed as Jesus Christ, God, and Lucifer. ...
Herman Melville's novel, Billy Budd, tells the story of a young man who is recruited by the British Navy to the H.M.S. ... He is received well by most of his fellow sailors who like Billy Budd are often alluded to people and stories from the Bible. ... These biblical allusions in Billy Budd provide the reader with a better understanding of many of the main characters and events including Billy Budd's comparison with Jesus Christ. ... Claggart lies to Captain Vere that Billy Budd is conspiring to commit mutiny on board the H.M.S. ... The allusions to the adult Jesus concerning B...
Billy Budd - Convictions Shaken In Herman Melville's Billy Budd, Sailor, readers are introduced to the conflict of good and evil between Billy Budd and Claggart. ... Vere's character is written to be a medium between Billy Budd and Claggart. ... Captain Vere was murmuring Billy Budd. ... Instead he is murmuring, acknowledging what the innocent Billy Budd meant to him and what Billy Budd taught him. Billy Budd taught him that there is a balance between con...
