Real vs. Literary Piracy: Romanticized vs. Modern Crime

Introduction: Pirates in the Western Imagination

The theater comes alive when Jack Sparrow lights up the screen, wielding his sword and staggering around his ship. The rough seas, mysterious curses, and action-packed adventures of Pirates of the Caribbean and other literary pirate tales explain why we love them — the same way Western culture loves superheroes, firefighters, Harry Potter, and the Transporter. Even real pirates, not just those who appear in the canon of literature and folklore, have traditionally been accepted by the American people in historical contexts. For instance, Dwyer writes that New York was traditionally a safe haven for pirates. According to Dwyer, "piracy was a leading economic development tool in [New York's] competition with the ports of Boston and Philadelphia."

In the 1600s, the area that would become the United States actually engaged in piracy itself. During Britain's repeated wars with France, both countries would employ pirate ships — called privateers — to pillage the other side's ships. Of course, the privateers also plundered other ships, and New York's port agreed to accept the stolen goods (Dwyer). Even with their rich history of appreciation for literary pirates and direct involvement in piracy, today's concept of piracy carries a very different flavor than the piracy of history. Beek suggests that, during the classical period, cultural issues greatly influenced what was considered piracy and what was not, and that pirates were not always the hardened criminals they are considered today.

Recently, pirates have been making the news as more than characters in box-office blockbuster movies. Instead of fighting for love and a carefree life, they have been attacking ships for monetary gain — vessels carrying civilian crews and military personnel — causing death and destruction. Today, the glorified characters of piracy no longer amuse us; instead, they fill our hearts with sorrow and compassion for those who have been victimized and terrorized by their brutal acts.

Literary Pirates and the Romance of Adventure

Children and adults alike have long been enamored with pirates like Captain Hook, Blackbeard, and Long John Silver. Although these pirates were often portrayed as villains, "they are the epitome of freedom and adventure" (Vandergrift). Vandergrift remarks that children can easily dress up as pirates — with eye patches, hats, and peg legs — and pretend to be those adventurous characters. It was the adventurous nature of pirates, not the fact that they were criminals, that caused Westerners to become so interested in them.

Furthermore, it is easy to view literary pirates in a Robin Hood-like fashion, as figures who take from dull society in order to live more meaningful lives. This is especially clear in the popular Pirates of the Caribbean films, where conventional society is portrayed as unreasonable, rigid, and boring compared to the pirate life of adventure, love, and self-expression. Still, Vandergrift cautions: "Although entertainment media have romanticized swashbuckling pirates, it is important to remember that piracy is a crime of terrorism."

Modern Piracy: A Dangerous Reality

In his column in the Chicago Tribune, Clarence Page agrees with Vandergrift when he writes, "They're not making pirates like they used to" — a sentiment that captures the Western attitude toward modern piracy. Today, most people have come to understand this difference: piracy is not synonymous with a life of adventure but is, instead, a dangerous activity that costs real people their lives — a complex crime unlike any other.

This reality is best illustrated through recent cases of piracy on the high seas. When Somali pirates captured a merchant ship, U.S. Navy SEALs were required to intervene — they shot three pirates and captured one more, a boy who looked young enough to still enjoy dressing up as a traditional storybook pirate (Page). This case makes plain that piracy is not a romantic or adventurous life, but a dangerous pursuit that cost three men their lives and will most likely ruin the captured teenager's as well.

An even more unsettling incident occurred when a cruise ship was attacked off the coast of Somalia. Armed security personnel on the cruise ship exchanged fire with the pirates, who ultimately fled. Though no one was hurt, trading gunshots at sea was surely not what the passengers had envisioned when they booked their vacation (Winfield). It would not be surprising if the passengers and crew were permanently scarred by the experience. These two incidents together demonstrate that piracy today is not the piracy of literature — it is a dangerous crime for both perpetrator and victim.