while Billy symbolizes morality and social justice. Claggart's innate evil suggests the nature of society, and how it is flawed. One example of this evil is shown when Billy spills some soup on the deck of the ship. It is only a simple accident, nothing more, but Claggart's hatred for Billy (or good itself) takes over and Claggart comments sardonically towards Billy's harmless accident. The envy and hatred evident in Claggart's character is tantamount to society's nature. The following quote is an example of Melville's portrayal of Claggart as the personification of the evil present in society, an evil with no purpose but to destroy the individual who stands in the way of its beliefs.
             " Though the man's even temper and discreet bearing would seem to intimate a mind peculiarly
             subject to the law of reason, not the less in heart he would seem to riot in exemption from that
             law, having apparently little to do with reason further than to employ it as an ambidexter implement for effecting the irrational. That is to say: Toward the accomplishment of an aim
             which in wantonness of atrocity would seem to partake of the insane, he will direct a cool judgment
             sagacious and sound. These men are madmen, and of the most dangerous sort..." (pg.30)
             Looking at the preceding quote, one sees that Melville uses Claggart to show society's depravity, and how its hate is geared toward the innocent individual. Thus, Melville believes that society itself is to blame for such corruption in people and their values.
             Another example of society¡¯s corruption is evident in Billy's trial. He has killed a superior officer for which he is sentenced to hang. The problem with society here is that it takes everything in black and white. He killed someone, therefore, he should be hanged. They knew of Claggart's lies saying that Billy was conspiring against the captain, but it was not taken into consideration ...