The pirate is a controversial, often highly romanticised figure in fantasy and even science fiction. Connected both with the myths and ghost stories of the sea, and with the same connotations as the highwayman or outlaw in folk ballad, the pirate is a tricky archetype to pin down. Some speculative fiction readers have a knee jerk aversion to fantasy depictions of such characters when their real life counterpoints were often violent and unprincipled. This week, the dragons delve into both the history and the romanticised fiction of pirates. While historical pirates (and Jules and Madeleine have restricted themselves to 1600 - 1800s!) were hardly heroic figures, they weren't merely thugs who travelled by sea. From the oft broken 'Pirate's Code' of Captain Bartholomew Roberts' Articles to the little known and surprisingly progressive practice of 'matolage', historical pirates were far more multi dimensional that opinion, common record or fiction give them credit for. But just where did the romantic 'Pirates of the Caribbean' type figure come from? Tune in to find out. On the slab this week - Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Peter Pan by J. M. Barre, Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch and many more.
Title Music: Ecstasy by Smiling Cynic
Episode 316: Vampire Detectives and Snarky Female Cops - Urban Fantasy Tropes that need a Change
Episode 315: Vampire Detectives & Snarky Female Cops - Urban Fantasy Tropes that need a Change
Episode 314: Old Souls and Mischievous Urchins - Writing Child Characters in Speculative Fiction
Episode 313: The Economy of Boots - Wealth and Poverty in Speculative Fiction
Episode 312: All the Feels - Widening the Appeal of Your Writing with Feel Good Moments
Episode 311: Run Away! Run Away! - the enduring Charm of Cowardly Characters
Episode 310: Villainesses and Dense Heroines - the Reverse Harem Trope in Speculative Fiction
Episode 309: False Prophets and Unwanted Messiahs - Examining the White Saviour Trope in Speculative Fiction part 2
Episode 308: False Prophets and Unwanted Messiahs - Examining the White Saviour Trope in Speculative Fiction Part 1
Episode 307: Good News Everyone! - 2021 the Best Bits
Episode 306: Japes and Tricks and Festive Diversions - Traditional Games Played at Yule and Christmas
Episode 305: Skulls and Sheets and Winter Puzzles - The Origins of the Riddle
Episode 304: What If Examining Storytelling by Changing the Pivot Points in Speculative Fiction
Episode 303: Wicked Queens and Nefarious Princes - The Evolution of the Disney Villain
Episode 302: My Only Love Sprung from My Only Hate - the Enemies to Lovers Trope in Speculative Fiction
DD Episode 301: Everyone was Kung Fu Fighting - Martial Arts as a Storytelling Tool in Speculative Fiction
Episode 300: How Not to be a Bad Art Friend - Professionalism and Empathy in Writing
Episode: 299: Who Watches the Watchmen - Gatekeeping in Speculative Fiction
Episode 298: Long Pig & a Nice Chianti - Cannibalism in Fact and Fiction
Episode 297: Of Human Evil - Serial Killers in Fact and Fiction
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