Inspired by this post by @castieldelamancha
Medieval belief defined the liver as the origin of courage. Later, Shakespeare popularised the term βlily-liveredβ which Stedeβs father applies to his son. Bloodless, fragile, cowardly in nature. Even if not taken literally, it points to deterministic thinking about human make-up, that a person can be born βfaultyβ. Nothing to be done other than bear the ridicule when your apparently broken centre doesnβt allow your character to measure up to societyβs definition of courage.
Ed doesnβt think that highly of liver-based courage, or livers in general, thankfully. And his disregard allows Stede to be shown a move which saves his lifeβ¦
Because courage perhaps is not found in a toxic-swagger, punching down at those weaker than yourself. Maybe instead itβs in believing you can outsmart an apparently skilled, but rigid-thinking swordsman with your mental quickness, and the first-time try of a dangerous trickβ¦
Dare to run me through my lily-liver and weβll see who wins.
Stedeβs originality could be classed as courage. βTwo chandeliersβ in a captainβs cabin; an βopen-fire on a wooden vessel surrounded by bits of paperββ¦courage could be synonymous with being a bit of a βlunaticβ, actually. Stede daring to be himself in the face of naysayers might be courage; and if so, itβs a courage which blows Edβs worldview apart.
Courage is almost certainly standing up for your tortured crew and the man you love even if you think it might be to the detriment of your gentle soul.
The greatest example of courage might be in breaking the mould. Having an absolute bully of a father and saying, βbut what if it werenβt like that.β What if now Iβm a man, I were instead kind?
And yeah, courage is definitely leaving everything youβve ever known with only a fossilised half-orange, dinghy, and an unflinching belief in true love.
Stede continues to define himself through both seasons as βa cowardβ and βa failureβ, which is heartbreaking because Stede is fearless really. Or he feels the fear and does it anyway. And thatβs the same thing.
This was in my drafts before yesterdayβs posts on βcringeβ started by @celluloidbroomcloset, but hard agree. One of the best words to describe Stede Bonnet does start with a βcβ - itβs courageous.
