Which pirate has a peg leg?

As an expert in the field of literature and popular culture, I've had the pleasure of studying a wide array of characters, including those of the swashbuckling variety. When it comes to pirates with peg legs, one of the most iconic figures that comes to mind is Hector Barbossa. Barbossa is a fictional character and the main antagonist in the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" film, "The Curse of the Black Pearl," and subsequently appears in several sequels. Played by the talented actor Geoffrey Rush, Barbossa is a cunning and ruthless pirate captain who is quite memorable for his wooden leg—a peg leg, to be precise. The peg leg is a classic trope in pirate lore, often associated with the seafaring life where accidents and battles could lead to the loss of a limb. In the case of Barbossa, his peg leg is not just a disability but a symbol of his experience and the harsh life he's led. It's worth noting that the character's physical disability does not hinder his ability to be a formidable pirate; in fact, it adds to his mystique and the audience's perception of him as a dangerous adversary. Contrasting Barbossa, we have another famous literary pirate, Long John Silver, from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel "Treasure Island." Silver is depicted as a cunning and charismatic figure, but he is not known for having a peg leg. Instead, he is often associated with a crutch, which he uses due to his lameness. The crutch, while a mobility aid, does not carry the same connotation as a peg leg in the pirate mythology. Lastly, there's Captain Ahab from Herman Melville's "Moby Dick." Ahab is not a pirate in the traditional sense but a whaler captain obsessed with revenge against the great white whale that took his leg. His leg is replaced with a prosthetic one, which is described as being made from the jawbone of a sperm whale. This false leg, while not a peg leg, is a unique and significant aspect of Ahab's character, symbolizing his obsession and the lengths he's willing to go to in his quest. In conclusion, when we talk about pirates with peg legs, Hector Barbossa stands out as a prime example in modern popular culture. His wooden leg is not just a part of his appearance but an integral part of his character, reflecting the perilous life of a pirate and the treachery that is often associated with these legendary figures. While other characters like Long John Silver and Captain Ahab are notable for their mobility aids, it is Barbossa who is most famously recognized for his peg leg.

Hector Barbossa, the fictional pirate captain of the Black Pearl in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, had a wooden leg. Long John Silver had a crutch but not a wooden leg. Captain Ahab, the captain in Melville's "Moby Dick", had false leg but it was made of whale bone.May 24, 2013