Myth Busters

Myths are stories about someone or something that are not necessarily true or false. They are stories passed down from person to person to create a bigger story about a certain subject. For example, pirates. There are many different myths about pirates and how they looked, how they dressed, how they acted or how they were as people. Many of these myths are false but some of these myths are quite true as well.

While reading Under The Black Flag, the author mentions different myths and explains how and why these myths came to be. One myth that many people have heard before is that pirates make their victims walk the plank, but that is nowhere near the truth. People assumed this was true because of the way pirates are portrayed in the movies. The truth of the matter is that pirates did not have the time or patience to make their victims walk the plank; they just hacked their victims to death and threw them of the sides of their boats. Another well-known myth is that pirates would bury their treasure and that is in fact not true. Pirates considered their treasure to be bales of silk, barrels of tobacco, different carpenter tools and even black slaves. These goods were probably better use to them if they were not buried. 

Although, not all myths about pirates are false. In movies pirates are always seen flying the "Jolly Roger" which is the black flag with the skull and bones. This was true; many pirates flew this flag, but they did also fly other different pirate flags as well. Another myth about pirates is that their ships were rowdy and boisterous vessels full of drunk men. This, as well was true. The pirates would pass time drinking rum and fighting over absolutely nothing and would even end up killing their own men. Of course, this meant their ships were loud because of all the ruckus.

Pirates were very unpredictable, unruly, violent people.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3fztn2roaw