Black Sails draws heavily on characters from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Theres a reason whyBlack Sailsuses characters from Robert Louis StevensonsTreasure Islandwith historical pirates in this TV drama.
In fact, for most people, the novel defines pirates.
If you havent readTreasure Island, hit Amazon and buy a copy right now.
Its gritty, thrilling, and a damn good read.
Stevenson was no hack.
Long John Silver, with his missing leg, colorful language and parrot companion defines pirates.
The rest of the crew were too afraid of Flint to complain.
Besides, they were already rich from other plundering.
Most of the crew lasted longer.
What, exactly, he planned to do with the map is unclear.
Its a power play, apparently, against Silver.
Everyone feared Flint, and Flint feared Silver.
Thats what the book says, and we believe it.
Bones terror of being found by the one-legged man is palpable, thick, stinking.
Silver has it all.
Alone, of all Flints crew, he invested his money.
Though Silver has only one leg, he commands Flints old crew.
After all, in the book, its been twenty years since the old crew broke up.
Well, one of the most famous pirates in fiction never actually appears in the book.
When the action starts, Flints been dead for years.
But his presence hangs over the book like a disturbed sea-god.
Its Flints old crew, thats what they call themselves.
Their former leaders ghost hangs over the island and over the mens minds.
Talking them out of this terror is Silvers greatest challenge, and it uses the last of his strength.
Silvers motivations remain uncertain throughout the book.
Yes, he wants the gold.
But Silver starts out a prosperous man.
Why is he still willing to go to sea, to risk everything for money he doesnt need?
I think Stevenson possessed a deep understanding of the human psyche.
Silvers better than the crew.
Hes ruthless, and bloody-handed.
But his nerves, even after all these years, are cold steel.
Silver lies as a matter of course, and he never gets caught.
Flint hid his passions under a cold heart.
The men feared Flint because under his intelligence and his quiet was a man who would stop at nothing.
Only Flint feared Silver as he should have been feared.
Ill end on the subject of Silvers wife.
A woman of color the book says, and later, a negress.
- This article orginally ran on February 28th, 2014.
