Pirates in Pop-culture; Why do we Love Them?

We love pirates! We admire them in movies, in stories, and in games. The leather eye patch, the iconic tricorne and bandanas, and the missing limbs substituted with a wooden stump or a hook, we love it all. We dress up as privateers in cosplay or Halloween costumes. We celebrate “Talk Like a Pirate’ day with verbal inflections like “Arrr” and “Matey” aplenty. The cultural affinity for the swashbuckling buccaneers has only grown since “Robinson Crusoe” in 1719. This was one of the first depictions of piracy in literature. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson needs no introduction as one of the most influential works in history about piracy adventures. Looking at the real world, pirates are abhorred and their activities derided. The acts of terror by the Somali Pirates are a cause of international tensions. Historically, nations regulating the seas have prosecuted and severely punished the pirates. Piracy has posed a serious threat to the sovereignty of free nations since the thirteenth century when the earliest record of piracy by Sea people is noted. Additionally, every socio-cultural group has been known to resort to piracy. The real history of raiders is gruesome and harrowing. Then why do we love pirates? Cultural experts say that it is because of the bureaucratic structures and rules of modern society. People love freedom and the fantasy of living in the High seas with wind in their hair is too tempting to ignore. Living life in merriment and company of likeminded fellows is what many people want, away from taxes and strict law enforcement agencies.

Modern Pop-Culture Pirates

Pop culture has romanticized pirates and the Jolly Roger insignia of skull and crossbones. The child-friendly portrayal of the Jack Sparrow chronicles led normalization of pirates culture in the audience of all ages. Additionally, the pirate captains in the literature are usually roguish and swoon-worthy. This has led to the further glamorization of the actual nature of piracy the subsequent role of the pirate captains. The Robin Hoods of the sea have invaded not only the pop culture but also the minds of the audience. Pirates are now hilarious, over-the-top, as they swagger into mischief and trouble. Their attire is now a common choice for pop-culture conventions, and their insignia is a branding symbol for merchandising companies. Such widespread influence is hard to ignore. Therefore, it produces an innate affinity and recognition of the characters and movies. One can surmise that the allure of a life where the viewer identifies with the characters and yearns for the freedom of an alternate reality is the main reason for the popularity of pirates in pop culture. Another reason is that the aesthetics of rogues are in vogue. The nostalgia for these rule-breakers of the past and their antics drives the mass cultural integration of this lifestyle and associated products. One does not need to know the gruesome reality of piracy to enjoy the treasure-seeking, rum-soaked marauders of television and cinema. We hope you gained insight and knowledge from this blog. Do you love pirates as much as we do? Let us know why you love pirates in the comments below!