In English-speaking popular culture, the modern pirate stereotype owes its attributes mostly to the imagined tradition of the 18th-century Caribbean pirate sailing off the Spanish Main and to such celebrated 20th-century depictions as Captain Hook and his crew in the theatrical and film versions of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, and Robert Newton's portrayal of Long John Silver in the 1950 film adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel Treasure Island. In these and countless other books, films, and legends, pirates are portrayed as "swashbucklers" and "plunderers". They are shown on ships, often wearing eyepatches or peg legs, having a parrot perched on their shoulder, speaking in a West Country accent, and saying phrases like "Arr, matey" and "Avast, me hearty". Pirates have retained their image through pirate-themed tourist attractions, film, toys, books and plays.

Origins The characteristics of pirates in popular culture largely derive from the Golden Age of Piracy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, with many examples of pirate fiction being set within this era. Vikings, who were also pirates, took on a distinct and separate archetype in popular culture, dating from the Viking revival. The first major literary work to popularise the subject of pirates was A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most notorious pirates (1724) by Captain Charles Johnson.A general history of the robberies & murders of the most notorious pirates. By Charles Johnson Introduction and commentary by David Cordingly. Conway Maritime Press (2002). In giving an almost mythical status to the more colourful characters, such as the notorious English pirates Blackbeard and John Rackham, the book provided the standard account of the lives of many pirates in the Golden Age, and influenced pirate literature of Scottish novelists Robert Louis Stevenson and J. M. Barrie. While Johnson's text recounted the lives of many famous pirates from the era, it is likely that he used considerable licence in his accounts of pirate conversations.

Stevenson's Treasure Island (1883) is considered the most influential work of pirate fiction, along with its many film and television adaptations, and introduced or popularised many of the characteristics and cliches now common to the genre. Stevenson identified Johnson's General History of the pirates as one of his major influences, and even borrowed one character's name (Israel Hands) from a list of Blackbeard's crew which appeared in Johnson's book.Jason Porterfield, Treasure Island and the Pirates of the 18th Century, Rosen, 2004, p. 12.

In 18th and 19th century Britain, historical-fiction portrayals of pirates on the dramatic stage included false flag props representing the various European navies. A common trope was to represent the archetypical scene where a crew of privateers donned false uniforms along with the false flag as they approached a ship, only raising the skull and bones flag at the last moment before the attack. Other tricks often portrayed on stage included (in a more initially peaceful encounter of ships) the pirate offering to gamble, or claiming the need to inspect documents or retrieve a runaway prisoner, before placing the victim of the scheme in shackles. These portrayals of pirate characters were fictionalised but based on the mythologised historical memory of both the Golden Age of Piracy and the contemporary pirates at that time. Barbary corsairs were a frequent type of pirate portrayed in that genre of stage and literature.

Appearance and mannerisms of Caribbean pirates

In films, books, cartoons, and toys, pirates often have a rough-and-ready appearance that evokes their criminal lifestyle, rogue personalities and adventurous, seafaring pursuits. They are usually greedy, mean-spirited, drunk on rum and focused largely on fighting and robbing enemy pirates and locating hidden treasure. They often wear shabby 17th or 18th century clothing, with a bandana or feathered tricorne. They are almost always armed with a cutlass and a flintlock pistol, or similar weaponry. They sometimes have scars and battle wounds, rotten or missing teeth (suggesting the effects of scurvy), as well as a hook or wooden stump where a hand or a leg has been amputated, and often an eye patch to conceal a lost eye. Some depictions of pirates also include monkeys or parrots as pets, the former mischievously assisting them in thieving and the latter loudly copying whatever the pirate captain says. The ship's captain will force captives and mutinous crewmen to walk the plank over shark-infested waters.

Historical pirates were often sailors or soldiers who had fallen into misfortune or were captured, forced into a life of crime. In various literature, the pirates may be represented as having fallen, perhaps resembling a respectable person in some way. Pirate characters generally quest for buried treasure, plundered riches in treasure chests. Pirates' treasure is usually gold or silver, often in the form of doubloons or pieces of eight.

Pirate subculture In the 1990s, International Talk Like a Pirate Day was invented as a parody holiday celebrated on September 19. This holiday allows people to "let out their inner pirate" and to dress and speak according to the pirate stereotype above. It has been gaining popularity through the Internet since its founders set up a website teaching "pirate speak."

Many games, movies, and other media are built upon the premise, introduced by Real Ultimate Power, that pirates and buccaneers are sworn enemies of ninjas. The "Pirates versus Ninjas" meme is also expressed in house parties and merchandise at popular-culture clothing and gift stores.

Pirates also play a central role in the parody religion of Pastafarianism. Established in 2005, Pastafarians (members of The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster) claim to believe that global warming is a result of the severe decrease in pirates since the 18th century, explaining the coldness associated with winter months that follow Halloween as a direct effect of the number of pirates that make their presence known in celebration.

Science fiction pirates The pirate archetype has been adapted to science fiction with more or less futuristic dress and speech. Air pirates are science fiction and fantasy character archetypes who operate in the air, rather than sailing the sea. As traditional seafaring pirates target sailing ships, air pirates capture and plunder aircraft and other targets for cargo, money, and occasionally they steal entire aircraft. Space pirates are science fiction character archetypes who operate in outer space, rather than sailing the sea. As traditional seafaring pirates target sailing ships, space pirates capture and plunder spaceships for cargo, money, and occasionally they steal entire spacecraft.

Pirates in the arts

Comics and manga

Terry and the Pirates (1934–1973) by Milton Caniff is an adventure comic strip frequently set among 20th-century pirates of China and Southeast Asia, led by the notorious Dragon Lady. Abraham Tuizentfloot, a mad man dressed up as a pirate who frequently wants to attack people. He debuted in Marc Sleen's The Adventures of Nero in 1957. Redbeard (1959 onwards), a Belgian comics series by Jean-Michel Charlier and Victor Hubinon starring captain Redbeard. A group of hapless pirates in Albert Uderzo's Astérix, in themselves parodies of the characters of Redbeard (see above), often run into Asterix and Obelix and are subsequently beaten up and usually sunk. Batman: Leatherwing (1994), an Elseworlds comic by Chuck Dixon featuring Batman as a pirate. One Piece (1997 onwards), set in a fictional world where piracy is at its height, the World Government and its Navy attempt to put it to a stop, and a young man named Monkey D. Luffy desires to become the next Pirate King. The most popular manga to date in Japan. Black Lagoon (2002 onwards) is a Japanese manga portraying group of modern-day pirates in the southeast Asian sea, largely making money with acts of smuggling, extortion, or acting as mercenaries. The Red Seas (2002 onwards), a mix of pirates and strange phenomena by Ian Edginton and Steve Yeowell. Homestuck (2009–2016), features a number of pirate themed characters such as Vriska Serket and her ancestor, Marquise Spinneret Mindfang. Outlaw Star, the primary antagonists of the series are members of the Pirate's Guild, a large network of space pirate clans throughout the universe. Watchmen features a "comic book within a comic book" called Tales of the Black Freighter. Watchmen is set in an alternate history where superheroes are alive and known to be in disgrace, so instead of comics dealing with superheroes, comics dealing with pirates are more popular.

Films

The Black Pirate, a 1926 film starring Douglas Fairbanks. Treasure Island, a 1934 adaptation of Stevenson's book, starring Wallace Beery. Captain Blood, a 1935 film starring Errol Flynn. The Buccaneer, a 1938 film starring Fredric March. Jamaica Inn, a 1939 film starring Charles Laughton, Maureen O'Hara, and Robert Newton. The Sea Hawk, a 1940 film starring Errol Flynn. Reap the Wild Wind, a 1942 film starring John Wayne. The Black Swan, a 1942 film starring Tyrone Power, Maureen O'Hara, and Anthony Quinn. Frenchman's Creek, a 1944 film starring Basil Rathbone and Joan Fontaine. The Pirate, a 1948 musical starring Gene Kelly and Judy Garland. Treasure Island, a 1950 adaptation of Stevenson's book, starring Robert Newton. Against All Flags, a 1952 film starring Errol Flynn and Maureen O'Hara. Blackbeard, the Pirate, a 1952 film starring Robert Newton. Long John Silver, a 1954 sequel to the novel Treasure Island, with Robert Newton reprising his role. The Buccaneer, a 1958 film starring Yul Brynner, Charles Boyer and Charlton Heston. The Son of Captain Blood, a 1962 sequel to Captain Blood, starring Sean Flynn. Blackbeard's Ghost, a 1968 film starring Peter Ustinov. Treasure Island, a 1972 adaptation of Stevenson's book, starring Orson Welles. Swashbuckler, a 1976 film starring Robert Shaw, James Earl Jones, Peter Boyle, Genevieve Bujold, Beau Bridges and Anjelica Huston about pirates in Jamaica fighting against the island's corrupt Governor. Pirates of the 20th Century, a 1979 Soviet adventure film about modern piracy. The Island, a 1980 film based on Peter Benchley's novel. The Pirate Movie, a 1982 Australian film loosely based on The Pirates of Penzance, stars Christopher Atkins and Kristy McNichol. Nate and Hayes, a 1983 film based on the adventures of the notorious Bully Hayes, a pirate in the South Pacific in the late 19th century. Also known as Savage Islands. Yellowbeard, a 1983 film starring Graham Chapman as Yellowbeard the pirate. The Goonies, a 1985 film starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin and Corey Feldman. Pirates, a 1986 Roman Polanski comic/adventure film starring Walter Matthau. The Princess Bride, a 1987 film adaptation of the William Goldman novel that has "The Dread Pirate Roberts" as one of its central characters. Hook, a 1991 film starring Robin Williams. Cutthroat Island, a 1995 Renny Harlin film that was a notable flop, starring Geena Davis Muppet Treasure Island, a 1996 film starring The Muppets and Tim Curry. Six Days Seven Nights, a 1998 film, features piracy in the South China Sea. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, a 1998 film, Scooby and the gang investigate a bayou island haunted by the spirits of Morgan Moonscar and his crew. Treasure Planet, a 2002 film, Disney-animated science fiction adaptation of Stevenson's book. Pirates of the Caribbean, a series of films based on Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), the first film starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, and Kevin McNally.