Why is Governor Swann's immediate reaction to shoot Jack?
In Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Jack dives into the water to save Elizabeth, and cuts off her corset, which was preventing her from breathing. However, when Norrington and Governor Swann arrive, they immediately treat Jack as a threat.
The scene starts at 1:28:
Jack: Move! [shoves him aside, cuts open corset and Elizabeth spits out water and gasps for breath]
Mullroy: Never would've thought of that.
Jack: Clearly you've never been to Singapore . [sees medallion, to Elizabeth ] Where did you get that?
Norrington: [to Jack, pointing his sword at him] On your feet.
Governor Swann: [helps Elizabeth up] Elizabeth . Are you alright?
Elizabeth: Yes, I'm fine.
Governor Swann: [sees Murtogg holding Elizabeth 's corset; Murtogg points at Jack; Swann looks over at Jack ] Shoot him!
Elizabeth: Father! Commodore, do you really intend to kill my rescuer?
Norrington: I believe thanks are in order. [offers his hand to shake; reveals "P" for pirate] Had a brush with the East India Trading company, did we, pirate?
Governor Swann: Hang him.
Norrington: Keep your guns on him, men. Gillette, fetch some irons. [sees tattoo of a sparrow in flight] Well, well. Jack Sparrow, isn't it?
Jack: Captain Jack Sparrow, if you please, sir.
Norrington: Well, I don't see your ship, Captain.
Jack: I'm in the market as it were.
Murtogg: He said he'd come to commandeer one.
Mullroy: Told ya he was telling the truth. These are his, sir. [hands him Jack's effects]
Norrington: No additional shots nor powder. A compass that doesn't point north. [unsheathes sword] And I half expected it to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of.
Jack: But you have heard of me. [is pulled along to be put in chains]
Why is Governor Swann immediately hostile? Did they not witness Jack save her life? Are they reacting based on Jack's appearance or the fact that he's holding the medallion or tore her corset?
Best Answer
I can't find anything about this for Pirates specifically, but I am certain the answer has to do with a father's desire to protect his daughters virtue, as well as social expectations of women at the time.
Governer Swann did not know that Jack Sparrow was a pirate when Elizabeth was first pulled out of the water. What he did know was that:
- His daughter had her dress and corset removed
- The man who removed them was at the very least lower class, given his dress and manner of speech, etc...
Governer Swann was an English gentlemen living out in the outskirts of the British Empire. Not only was he concerned with the honor and virtue of his daughter, he was concerned that she be able to make a socially and politically acceptable match for a husband. If there were any question about her worthiness such a match might be jeopardized.
Women were continually instructed that their spiritual and social worth resided above all else in their practice of and reputation for chastity. https://www.wwnorton.com/college/english/nael/17century/topic_1/welcome.htm
Essentially he felt what Jack did was inappropriate, even though it saved his daughter, and in order for balance to be restored and her honor to remain unquestioned he wanted Jack shot as punishment, and maybe a warning to others.
This is further reinforced by the look of relief in his eyes and the triumph in his tone when he learns Jack is a pirate, as now he doesn't even need an excuse to punish Jack, his life as a Pirate warrants it.
Pictures about "Why is Governor Swann's immediate reaction to shoot Jack?"
What does Norrington say before pursuing Jack?
Gillette asks Norrington about Jack, and he says an extra line that was cut from the film, "Shall we prepare the Dauntless in pursuit?" before Norrington says, "Oh, I think we can afford to give him one day's head start."Why did Elizabeth leave Jack to the Kraken?
By the end, Elizabeth took part in a battle which led to her delivering Jack Sparrow to the Kraken in order to save Will and other members of Jack's crew. But guilt led to Elizabeth joining a resurrected Barbossa in saving Jack, now trapped in Davy Jones' Locker.What happens to Governor Swann?
Relevant Pages. Weatherby Swann is Elizabeth's father and the governor of Port Royal. He was killed by Cutler Beckett sometime offscreen in At World's End.Why did Elizabeth trap Jack to the ship?
It's because she doesn't want to be seen as a pirate and believes that saving Jack will undo her decision to sacrifice him. She thinks the sneaky trick makes her no different from the captain himself so it's understandable that Elizabeth doesn't want to be responsible for his death.Pirates of the Caribbean 2 - Lord Beckett Talks With Governor Swann
More answers regarding why is Governor Swann's immediate reaction to shoot Jack?
Answer 2
Jack Sparrow was notorious pirate of that time. This is enough for Governer to be hostile.
From Wikia
Back on the harbor, Jack's interest is piqued by the medallion, but his questions are forestalled by Norrington, who arrives with marines to arrest the pirate, having recognized a brand on his forearm as the mark used by the East India Trading Company to identify pirates. Jack, however, holds Elizabeth hostage long enough to have his effects returned before making his swashbuckling escape into the port.
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Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Pixabay, SHVETS production, Andrea Piacquadio