Word: claggart
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...Vere, an inflexibly moral man, runs his ship under Britain's stern Articles of War, and his instrument for enforcing discipline is Claggart. As long as Claggart keeps his villainy within the bounds of the articles, Vere, though he despises him, feels compelled to keep him aboard. This is a fateful decision, for it seals a doom not only for Claggart but for Billy Budd as well...
Billy's almost allegorical Goodness is incomprehensible to Claggart; the boy seems ignorant of the possibility of evil in anyone. One night, coming off watch and seeing Claggart brooding by the rail, Billy asks permission to stay on deck and look at the sea. "I suppose the Handsome Sailor may do many things forbidden to his messmates," says Claggart. "You have a pleasant way with you, Billy. Tell me, what do you think of me?" And Billy replies, "I never met a man like you. sir. The nights are lonely. Perhaps I could talk to you between watches...
...Claggart: Aye, the nights are long...
...Claggart: Perhaps...
Then, suddenly realizing that Billy has almost succeeded in piercing his only armor, he cries: "Oh, no! You would charm me, too. Get away! Get away!" For Claggart sees Billy's goodness as a threat to the evil equilibrium of his very existence...