marplot A stupid, officious meddler whose interference compromises the success of an undertaking. [After Marplot, a character in The Busy Body, a play by Susannah Centlivre (1669-1723).] Mars In Billy Budd, Mars, the Roman god of war, is often paired with references to the Prince of Peace, Jesus, from the Christian tradition. Melville's pairing of these figures suggests the irony underlying the Chaplain's role as a man of God -- a theoretical proponent of peace -- serving in war. Martial Martial (full name was Marcus Valerius Martialis, circa 40-140 A.D.) was an ancient Roman writer credited with the development of the modern epigram -- a short, witty or pointed saying marked by conciseness and polish. He used epigrams to criticize the vices of his society: "Honest and poor, faithful in word and thought, / What has thee, Fabian, to the city brought?" martial 1. Of, relating to, or suggestive of war. 2. Relating to, or connected with, the armed forces or the profession of arms. 3. Characteristic of, or befitting, a warrior. martinet 1. A rigid military disciplinarian. 2. One who demands absolute adherence to forms and rules. [After Jean Martinet, a French army officer who died 1672.] Marvell, Andrew, "Lines Upon Appleton House, to My Lord Fairfax" A major Renaissance poet of the 1650s, Marvell (1621-1678) composed these lines to honor his benefactor -- Marvell had worked for a time as Lord Fairfax's daughter's tutor -- Lord Fairfax. Vere was the family name of Fairfax's wife. Master-at-arms, "Jimmy Legs" The chief petty officer aboard a man-of-war, the master-at-arms (as Melville notes) attends to the police duties of the ship. The title derives from his duty of instructing the crew in the use of small arms. "Jimmy Legs" is a humorous nickname for the master-at-arms. Masthead The masthead is the highest reach of the mast where the flag is flown. More specifically, the term refers to the head of the lower mast used for observation or a place of confinement as punishment. mercenary 1. Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain. 2. Hired for service in a foreign army. Merlin Unlike most of the other mythical figures in the novel, Merlin derives from English folklore as opposed to the Greek or Roman traditions. He was the powerful sorcerer who served as teacher and guide to the young Arthur and later served as an adviser to the Knights of the Round table. The Dansker, or Dane, serves as an equivocating Merlin who invariably knows more than he is willing to reveal to the young Billy. mess, messmates Each mess designates the specific divisions of a company of officers or crew who take their meals together in a given place. Those members of the same mess are termed "messmates." |
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