Pirate Heroes

Historically, pirates generally were NOT heroes, but in popular fiction, Pirates are often portrayed as folk heroes.

I like this YouTube video using clips from Pirates of the Caribbean with Jennifer Saunders "Holding Out For A Hero" as music.

Why Enjoy Entertainment about Pirates?

Why do you enjoy pirates? They are nasty and they kill people. We know the recent news of the Somalian pirates and other modern pirates are barbaric. Yet, we still enjoy entertainment about pirates. Why doesn't the routine robbing of perfectly innocent people by pirates stop us from enjoying books and movies about them?

"A Pirate's Life for me," is the famous quote from a song. Some dream of life out on the seas, watching the stars in the night sky, having the thrill and terror of fighting harsh storms, and battling other ships. For some, pirates bring out the thrill seeker -- men and women alike. Men want to be like them -- adventure seekers, women want to be with them. They help some indulge in their wildest fantasies.

I like them because they have given the world hundreds of years of myths and legends. Pirates have inspired imaginations and stories. Their whole persona and lifestyle lends to tales that appeal to little children, grown men and romantically inclined women. It is not often that criminals lend themselves so well to so many less barbaric interpretations.