#I’d argue that even by cotbp the crusade has mostly succeeded | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

emcads · 1 year

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every time I talk about historical context with potc I need to put a disclaimer, but there’s something very haunting about the way Elizabeth’s, Will’s, and James’ personal journeys all coincide with the piracy act (which granted colonial governors the authority to hang pirates on site instead of sending them back to England). how many pirates must have made the Atlantic crossing in the opposite direction before them. how it’s not ultimately law and Englishness and Moral Righteousness that destroys the pirates, but commerce.

#I’d argue that even by cotbp the crusade has mostly succeeded #port royal — once pirate haven and den of sin — is made lawful and obedient to the crown. Mostly #sure they have tortuga and shipwreck cove but those are the last safe places for pirates to be #(at least in the Caribbean. But even Sao Feng’s fall shows how easily those places can topple. )#but the system is too weak and humanizes its opponents to grant them clemency & mercy #(staples of a war between two recognized ‘‘human’’ powers)#it has to be beckett and the company because commerce doesn’t recognize good/evil or even mercy/ruthlessness #there’s only profit and what stands in the way of it #(foreshadowing - I think - British colonization of India; things like the opium wars; etc)#ooc. ( ࿐ྂ ) lesjibbities dangereuses.#edit. and ALSO! How Elizabeth living at a distance in England allows her to mythologize jack and other pirates.#but when she’s put in proximity she sees the truth.#moreover: she sees the port he sacked. The civilians they terrorize. it’s not a distant exotic violence beyond the line but real #her friends’ safety. her safety.#and I don’t think that reality setting in ever really leaves her even after she’s gone pirate herself.

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