Pirates: Heroes or Villians?

Did you know that not all pirates were male? Some pirate ships had crew that were male and female. However, some of them used to dress as men to avoid conflict. When people saw the kind of crew some pirate ships had, they idolized the gutsy way they lived and how they chose their crew. Some pirates are seen as heroes because of the book, "Treasure Island," written by Robert Louis Stevenson. In the book, pirates were seen as romantic, unrestricted people on the other side of the law.

Pirates are seen as Robin Hood type of characters. This means that they are seen as stealing from the rich and give to the needy. They were viewed as not always thinking of themselves or their crew. Some pirates were seen as free spirited, adventurous, and courageous people that lived such a unrestrained lifestyle that most people desired (Famous Pirates in History: Stories from the Golden Age of Piracy). Some pirates are seen as only fighting evil people but, sparing their lives, stealing everything they have, giving that loot to give it to people who are in need of it, and then leaving the scene with style.

 Some pirates are seen as heroes because they accomplish great feats such as stealing from a well-secured ship or building and taking a large amount of loot. This happened to a pirate Captain named Jack Rackham. Rackham boldly took a large merchant ship called the Kingston and sailed of with the greatest prize of his young captaincy  (Famous Pirates in History: Stories from the Golden Age of Piracy). Some pirates are seen as heroes because they do unique things throughout their adventure or have a unique crew. Rackham also, had a unique crew. Rackham is the only pirate to have two cross-dressing women on his crew. These reasons are why some pirates were viewed as heroes.

Resources: Dockett, Eric (2020), Famous Pirates in History: Stories from the Golden Age of Piracy.

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