Ahoy, mateys! From the swashbuckling adventures in Pirates of the Caribbean to the classic tale of Treasure Island, Hollywood has shaped our perception of pirates. But how much of what we see on the silver screen is fact, and how much is fiction? Prepare to have your pirate myths shattered as we reveal ten common misconceptions perpetuated by Hollywood.
Pirates Were Criminals?
The term “pirate” broadly describes anyone who uses the sea for theft, encompassing activities from Viking coastal raids to modern-day boat hijackings. When we think of pirates, we often picture the Caribbean raiders of the Golden Age of Piracy (1650-1720), the era in which Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean is set.
However, not all piracy was illegal. Governments issued “Letters of Marque,” essentially piracy licenses, allowing ship owners to plunder enemy vessels. France and Britain, envious of Spain’s treasure-laden galleons, authorized privateers to seize Spanish gold and silver, sharing a cut of the loot with the government. The Golden Age ended when Spain ceased shipping treasure through the Caribbean, leading France and Britain to revoke these licenses and crack down on illegal pirates.
Pirates: Noble Anti-Heroes?
While Hollywood often portrays pirates as dashing anti-heroes like Jack Sparrow, the reality was far more brutal. Pirates aimed to avoid violence to preserve their ships and crews. However, they achieved this by cultivating a terrifying reputation.
Pirates were known for employing extreme torture to coerce victims into surrendering their riches. Accounts describe horrific acts, including beatings, mutilation, and burning. This brutality worked, as many ships surrendered at the mere sight of a pirate vessel, preferring to avoid any potential violence. So, while today’s media shows sometimes soften their image, real-life pirates were far more terrifying.
“Argh” and “Shiver Me Timbers”?
Contrary to popular belief, pirates didn’t have a distinct way of speaking. They were ordinary sailors from various backgrounds, and adopting a unique dialect would have made them easily identifiable to pirate hunters.
The expressions we associate with pirates, such as “argh!” and “matey,” are products of dramatization. Lionel Barrymore’s “arrrgh” in the 1934 film Treasure Island, and Robert Newton’s West Country accent as Long John Silver in the 1950 version, heavily influenced the public’s perception. This fictional pirate-speak became so popular that two friends in Oregon created International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th.
Buried Treasure Hoards?
The romantic image of pirates burying treasure and marking the spot with an “X” is largely a myth. Real-life pirates had little reason to bury their loot. Plunder was divided among the crew based on rank and quickly spent on goods like fabric, cocoa, and spices. Pirates lived for the moment, seeing no need for savings or long-term planning.
There are a few exceptions. Sir Francis Drake buried treasure to hide it from the Spanish, but soon retrieved it. Captain Kidd buried treasure on Long Island while evading authorities, but it was recovered and used against him in his trial. The idea of treasure maps and buried riches was popularized by adaptations of Treasure Island.
The Infamous “Black Spot”?
The Black Spot, a symbol of guilt or impending doom, was invented by Robert Louis Stevenson in Treasure Island. A pirate receiving the Black Spot would face judgment, ranging from removal from leadership to death.
In Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, the Black Spot marks those indebted to Davy Jones, dooming them to be hunted by the Kraken. Despite its fictional appeal, there’s no evidence that real pirates used the Black Spot. They preferred direct action when deposing a leader, as warning someone only gave them a chance to escape.
Walking the Plank?
The concept of making victims walk the plank first appeared in Daniel Defoe’s 1724 book, A General History of Pirates. Since then, it has become a staple in pirate fiction, including Treasure Island, Peter Pan, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
However, there’s no historical evidence that pirates actually forced people to walk the plank. They favored other brutal methods like flogging, marooning, and outright murder. If they wanted to drown someone, they simply threw them overboard. The earliest mention of walking the plank comes from a surgeon’s mate testifying about slave ship officers considering it to save food.
Ever-Present Eyepatches?
Eyepatches are synonymous with pirates in popular culture, but historical evidence suggests they weren’t common. The only documented case is Rahmah ibn Jabir al-Jalahimah, a Persian Gulf pirate who wore one after losing an eye in battle.
One theory suggests pirates wore eyepatches to keep one eye dark-adapted for below-deck combat, as it takes about 25 minutes for the human eye to adjust from bright sunlight to darkness. However, this theory originated in the 1930s when the U.S. Navy explored it as a military tactic. A 1939 Navy handbook even referred to it as “a pirate’s patch.”
The “Jolly Roger” Standard?
The Jolly Roger, with its black background and skull and crossbones, is the quintessential pirate flag. While “Black Sam” Bellamy, Edward England, and Blackbeard flew this version, pirate ships had no central authority, allowing each crew to create their own unique flag.
Some flags featured entire skeletons, hourglasses (to symbolize time running out), or figures stabbing a heart. Walter Kennedy’s flag included a skull and crossbones, a naked man with a sword, and an hourglass. Pirates typically waited until they were close to their target before raising their flags, hoping to induce panic and a quick surrender.
Giant Pirate Ships?
The classic image of a pirate ship is a large, three-masted galleon with numerous cannons. While royal navies favored galleons, pirates preferred smaller, single-masted sloops. These were faster, more maneuverable, and could easily navigate shallow waters, facilitating quick getaways.
Large ships are more visually impressive on film, making them a favorite in Hollywood. They also provide more space for camera equipment and actors. However, the historical reality is that pirates favored practicality over grandeur.
Pirates: All White?
Despite efforts by modern films like Pirates of the Caribbean to promote diversity, pirate movies historically cast predominantly white actors. Adaptations of Treasure Island and Peter Pan often overlooked historical accuracy in casting.
In reality, pirate crews were diverse. Pirates frequently raided slave ships, offering enslaved people freedom in exchange for joining their ranks. On some ships, freed slaves made up over a quarter of the crew. Pirate ships were also one of the few places where people of color could attain positions of power. Blackbeard’s crew was largely black, and Captain Kidd had a black quartermaster. Pirate ships provided a rare opportunity for individuals from different backgrounds to mix and share in the spoils.
Conclusion
Hollywood’s portrayal of pirates is often more fiction than fact. From exaggerated dialects to buried treasure, many common pirate tropes are the result of creative license. While these embellishments make for exciting stories, they often obscure the complex and brutal reality of pirate life. So, the next time you watch a pirate movie, remember to take it with a grain of salt—or maybe a barrel of rum!
What surprised you most about the real lives of pirates? Leave your comment below!
