Democratic Outlaws

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Recommended: influence of golden age of piracy on todays society

 DEMOCRATIC OUTLAWS ?

Pirates, the outlaws of the sea. If like me, the first idea that comes to mind regarding pirates is a group of raiding and plundering individuals. This is due to today’s society glamorizing the pirates as fascinating characters. Historically, not much written information has been left behind. The pirates did not leave ship logs or accounts of plunders, because it could be used to incriminate them. Society today has invented the pirates to fit a romantic mold. Therefore, we grew up thinking of treasure hunts, sea battles, sword fights and plank walkers, when in actuality the pirates of old were loathed by society. During the Golden Age of Piracy, during the 17th and
18th centuries, pirates were regarded as common criminals of the seas without thought to democracy/justice or civility. In short, the pirates had no decency. However, is there some truth to the glamorized legends? Could the legendary characters have upheld the same ideals? In the course of the semester, we have learned some of the truths behind the glamorized pirate facade.
Throughout life I have seen that good is more often than not overshadowed by bad. I decided to give these characters the benefit of the doubt and do some investigating. In this essay, I will attempt to prove that human decency among the pirates could have existed.
Civility is one trait rarely associated with pirates. Why should civility be associated as a trait of pirates? After all, pirates raid, plunder, steal, rape, drink and swear. Civilized people do not participate in lowly, unlawful behavior. Pirates were know to be excessive drunks, ruthless killers, indulgers of women and unruly individuals. In defense of pirate civility, I must point out a few examples. Lord Byron’s “The Corsair” is an excellent example of pirate decency. Conrad,
Byron’s hero and captain of a pirate crew, shows remarkable civility for a pirate. While “The
Corsair” is a fictional work, many of the pirate tales, as in other fictional works, derive from actual occurrences. While Conrad’s crew is toasting spirts and carousing about, he remains composed. “Ne’er for his lip the purplng cup they fill, That goblet passes him untasted still . . .
But while he shuns the grosser joys of sense, His mind seems nourished by that abstinence”
(Byron 152). Conrad does not overindulge and does not become unruly. Conrad does not kill unnecessarily and when forced to kill, it is in defense. Conrad does not ravage women. He is married but loves only one.
Jean Lafitte is a factual example of civility.

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