Pirates were known to rob ships and plunder cities along the port areas of many countries around the globe since the ancient times. They were seen as ruthless and greedy seamen who commit crimes in every possible opportunity. On the other hand, pirates were also able to make alliances with several towns and cities that were in need of protection from the other “pirates” of the land. These were people in control of the government and of the economy who failed to give protection to everyone under their jurisdiction. These stories of real pirates inspired fictional tales featuring pirates a la Robin Hood: robbers who show compassion, strength, love, loyalty, and conviction among many others.
There are hundreds of famous pirates of fiction that can be found in books, television and movies for the past 100 years. Most recently was the movie trilogy, The Pirates of the Caribbean from Disney Pictures which features actors Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightly among many others. These films were able to revive people’s interest on anything that has to do with pirates. From costumes to accessories and real pirates in history to famous pirates of fiction.
Here are some famous pirates of literary fiction:
- Captain James Hook is the famous nemesis of Peter Pan in Neverland from the play “Peter Pan” by J.M. Barrie. Better known as “Hook,” he acquired his nickname because of an iron hook he wears in place of his hand which was cut off by Peter Pan and was thrown to and eaten by a crocodile. The crocodile liked the taste of Hook’s hand that it kept following him wherever he goes. He knows that the crocodile is around when he hears a ticking sound from a clock that the crocodile swallowed. Hook hates Peter Pan and the Lost Boys so much that he keeps on plotting against them and longs for the day that he can make them walk the plank.
- Long John Silver is a fictional pirate character in the novel “Treasure Island” written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Silver used to be known as Hawke who served in the Royal Navy and during his time in the service lost his leg. Due to this, he was discharged and was taken in by the pirate Captain Flint. Long John Silver then became Flint’s quartermaster and the only man he ever feared. Treasure Island tells of Silver and his crew’s adventures in finding Captain Flint’s buried treasure.
- Captain Blood was the protagonist of a book series with the same title written by Rafael Sabatini and published in 1922. The setting of the story was during the waning years of the Buccaneers and based on the experiences of Henry Pitman who was an English surgeon condemned to a life of slavery on Barbados for treating a wounded rebel. Captain Blood and his crew were captured as slaves and made plans to escape. Coincidentally, the Spaniards attacked Barbados but Blood and his men were able to save the city. Unfortunately his nemesis Colonel Bishop did not pardon them, thus they turned to piracy.
Want to learn more about pirates? Drop by realmcollections.com’s Pirates and “Pirates of the Caribbean” section for costumes, weapons and other memorabilia.