What is Long John Silver a Pirate?

Long John Silver is one of the most iconic fictional pirates in literature and pop culture, largely due to his role as the main antagonist in Robert Louis Stevenson‘s classic adventure novel Treasure Island. With his ragged parrot perched on his shoulder, wooden crutch and oversized hat, Long John Silver has come to epitomize the stereotypical image of the peg-legged, scheming pirate. But who exactly is Long John Silver and how did this enigmatic character come to be so closely associated with piracy and buried treasure?

Origin of the Character

Long John Silver first appeared in Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson‘s novel Treasure Island, published in 1883. Stevenson likely based the character on his real-life friend William Ernest Henley, a writer and critic who had one leg amputated due to tuberculosis.

In Treasure Island, Long John Silver is introduced as the ship‘s cook aboard the Hispaniola, a ship headed to Treasure Island in search of Captain Flint‘s buried treasure. He appears friendly towards young Jim Hawkins at first, becoming a mentor of sorts. However, it is later revealed that Long John Silver is actually the leader of a mutinous band of pirates also seeking Flint‘s hoard of gold and jewels.

Despite his villainous ways, Silver maintains a level of charisma and charm that makes him an intriguing and multi-dimensional character. His relationship with Jim humanizes him, showcasing Silver‘s empathy and honor even amongst thieves and scoundrels. This moral ambiguity is part of what has made Long John such an enduring and compelling literary figure.

Long John Silver‘s Distinctive Physical Appearance

Long John Silver has a very distinctive physical appearance that has come to define the archetypal image of an old seafaring pirate.

He has only one leg, having lost his left leg below the knee at some point in the past. He gets around with the aid of a crutch, which he tucks under his arm while hopping about on his one good leg.

In Chapter 11 of Treasure Island, Silver is described:

"He was very tall and strong, with a face as big as a ham – plain and pale, but intelligent and smiling. He had a grey eye that was keen as a hawk’s and a crutch made of oak wood that had been cunningly adjusted to his height."

In most depictions, Long John Silver wears an oversized tricorne hat atop his head, an eyepatch over one eye, and has a parrot perched on his shoulder. He is usually shown with a scraggly beard or long mustache. All of these trademark features have added to the iconic pirate imagery associated with the character.

The Significance of the Nickname "Long John"

Long John Silver gets his distinctive nickname from his tall stature and the fact that his real first name is John.

The "Long" part of the name is likely a reference to Silver‘s imposing height. Stevenson never provides an exact height but he is described as a "tall, strong man" and Jim notes he must stoop to avoid hitting his head below deck.

The "John" part of the name is taken directly from Silver‘s real first name, which is referenced multiple times throughout Treasure Island.

So by combining his uncommon tallness with his first name, the memorable nickname "Long John Silver" was born. This served to further distinguish the pirate leader from the rest of the ship‘s crew in the novel.

The alliterative quality of the name also gives it a catchy, folkloric ring. This especially memorable name has allowed Long John Silver to endure as one of literature‘s most iconic pirate characters.

Long John Silver‘s Notable Characteristics

In addition to his distinctive physical appearance, Long John Silver has a number of qualities that have made him such an infamous and compelling character over the years:

• His duplicity and scheming nature: Silver is incredibly cunning and intelligent. He is able to play different sides against each other for his own benefit. Stevenson introduces Silver as seemingly kind and trustworthy, which makes his later treachery all the more surprising.

• His charm and likeability: For a pirate villain, Silver maintains a surprising level of charm and charisma. His mentorship of young Jim Hawkins gives him a level of depth and humanity. He shows himself to be capable of warmth, wit and wisdom – when it serves his interests.

• His manipulative abilities: Silver is incredibly skilled at reading people and situations. He knows how to flatter, cajole, threaten and negotiate in order to move people to do his bidding. This makes him a formidable foe.

• His boldness and bravado: As the pirate leader, Silver has a dominating presence. The other pirates look to him as their courageous captain, even when moments of chaos or cowardice strike. Silver is able to rally the men with his decisive actions and bold words.

• His ruthlessness: Make no mistake – Silver is driven by greed and a desire for power. When crossed, he will not hesitate to respond with savage violence and cruelty. His darker impulses collide intriguingly with his charisma.

This mixture of contradictory traits makes Long John Silver a complex, unpredictable character. He defies easy labels like "hero" or "villain". It is this moral ambiguity that has allowed the character to fascinate audiences for over a century.

Long John Silver in Adaptations of Treasure Island

Given Long John Silver‘s status as one of literature‘s most renowned pirate characters, it is no surprise he has been portrayed extensively on screen. Major actors who have taken on the role include:

• Robert Newton – Newton delivered a definitive portrayal of Silver in the 1950 Disney film Treasure Island. His performance established common pirate mannerisms in pop culture like arrr and matey.

• Orson Welles – The legendary Welles played Silver in the 1972 live action adaptation, bringing his famous baritone voice and acting gravitas to the role.

• Charlton Heston – Heston took on the role in the 1990 made-for-TV movie Treasure Island, adding his own brand of imposing physicality and charm.

• Eddie Izzard – Izzard offered a scene-stealing comedic take on Silver in the 2012 British TV miniseries version of Treasure Island.

• Tim Curry – Curry voiced Silver in the popular 1990s animated series The Legends of Treasure Island, bringing his exquisite vocal talents to the villainous role.

Other actors who have left their mark on the iconic character over the years include Brian Murray, Jack Palance, Oliver Reed and Tom Baker. Each adaptation has added more depth and intrigue to Stevenson‘s original pirate creation.

Long John Silver‘s Continued Pop Culture Legacy

Though over 130 years have passed since Long John Silver first limped his way into readers‘ imaginations, the iconic character lives on in the popular consciousness.

References to Long John Silver continue to abound in comedic pop culture:

• In the Muppets franchise, the pirate character is named Long John Silver. He is a frequent companion to Kermit the Frog in many movies, shows and public appearances.

• Fast food chain Long John Silver‘s uses the character as a mascot and namesake. The restaurant chain is known for fish, chicken and other seafood offerings.

• Silver‘s parrot is named Captain Flint in most Treasure Island adaptations. As a result, "Polly want a Flint" is a comedic pirate-themed riff on the famous parrot phrase "Polly want a cracker."

Long John Silver also continues to inspire new literary and film works featuring pirate antiheroes with morally ambiguous motives:

• Silver: Return to Treasure Island is a 2012 sequel novel by Andrew Motion which reimagines Long John Silver‘s later adventures.

• Long John Silver is a 1954 Australian film that depicts Silver‘s early life before the events of Treasure Island.

• Black Sails is a dark, mature-rated TV series (2014-2017) that explores the Treasure Island mythology from Silver‘s perspective.

No matter the medium, Long John Silver remains an intriguing icon of adventure, treachery and the ambiguous morality surrounding piracy. More than a century later, this enduring pirate villain continues to sail through popular culture leaving his indelible mark on our collective imagination.