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{{Short description|Stock character in literary works}}
{{Short description|Stock character in literary works}}
{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}

[[File:Dartagnan-musketeers.jpg|right|thumb|[[Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan|D'Artagnan]] and the Three Musketeers.]]
[[File:Dartagnan-musketeers.jpg|right|thumb|[[Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan|D'Artagnan]] and the Three Musketeers.]]
{{Literature}}
A '''swashbuckler''' is a [[genre]] of European adventure literature that focuses on a heroic protagonist [[stock character]] who is skilled in [[swordsmanship]], acrobatics, guile and possesses chivalrous ideals. A "swashbuckler" protagonist is heroic, daring, and idealistic: he rescues [[Damsel in distress|damsels in distress]], protects the downtrodden, and uses [[duel]]s to defend his honor or that of a lady or to [[Vengeance (concept)|avenge]] a comrade.
A '''swashbuckler''' is a [[genre]] of European adventure literature that focuses on a [[Hero|heroic]] protagonist [[stock character]] who is skilled in [[swordsmanship]], acrobatics, and [[Deception|guile]], and possesses [[chivalrous]] ideals. A "swashbuckler" protagonist is heroic, daring, and idealistic: he rescues [[Damsel in distress|damsels in distress]], protects the downtrodden, and uses [[duel]]s to defend his honor or that of a lady or to [[Vengeance (concept)|avenge]] a comrade.


Swashbucklers often engage in daring and romantic adventures with bravado or flamboyance. Swashbuckler heroes are gentleman adventurers who dress elegantly and flamboyantly in coats, waistcoats, tight breeches, large feathered hats, and high leather boots, and they are armed with the thin [[rapier]]s used by aristocrats.
Swashbucklers often engage in daring and romantic adventures with bravado or flamboyance. Swashbuckler heroes are typically gentleman adventurers who dress elegantly and flamboyantly in coats, waistcoats, tight breeches, large feathered hats, and high leather boots, and they are armed with the thin [[rapier]]s that were commonly used by aristocrats


Swashbucklers are not unrepentant brigands or pirates, although some may rise from such disreputable stations and achieve redemption.<ref name=Richards>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Vp4sAwAAQBAJ&pg=PP26&dq=Swashbuckler&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VytUVa24MpeiyASls4GIBw&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAjge#v=onepage&q=Swashbuckler&f=false Richards, Jeffrey. ''Swordsmen of the Screen'', Routledge, 2014] {{ISBN|9781317928638}}</ref> His opponent is typically characterized as a dastardly villain. While the hero may face down a number of henchmen to the villain during a story, the climax is a dramatic one-on-one sword battle between the protagonist and the villain. There is a long list of swashbucklers who combine courage, skill, resourcefulness, and a distinctive sense of honor and justice, as for example ''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (play)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]'', ''[[The Three Musketeers]]'', ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'', [[Robin Hood]],<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/rh/rhhome.htm|title= The Robin Hood Project at the University of Rochester|publisher=[[University of Rochester]]|work=[[Robin Hood Project]]|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> and [[Zorro]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=35322|title= The University can lay claim to having its very own Zorro after a student won a prestigious national fencing competition|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref>
Swashbucklers are not usually [[Repentance|unrepentant]] [[brigands]] or [[Piracy|pirates]], although some may rise from such disreputable stations and achieve redemption.<ref name=Richards>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vp4sAwAAQBAJ&dq=Swashbuckler&pg=PP26|title=Swordsmen of the Screen: From Douglas Fairbanks to Michael York|first=Jeffrey|last=Richards|date=March 26, 2014|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-92863-8 |via=Google Books}}</ref> His opponent is typically characterized as a dastardly [[villain]]. While the hero may face down a number of henchmen to the villain during a story, the climax is a dramatic one-on-one sword battle between the protagonist and the villain. There is a long list of swashbucklers who combine courage, skill, resourcefulness, and a distinctive sense of honor and justice, as for example ''[[Cyrano de Bergerac (play)|Cyrano de Bergerac]]'', ''[[The Three Musketeers]]'', ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'', [[Robin Hood]],<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/rh/rhhome.htm|title= The Robin Hood Project at the University of Rochester|publisher=[[University of Rochester]]|work=[[Robin Hood Project]]|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> and [[Zorro]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=35322|title= The University can lay claim to having its very own Zorro after a student won a prestigious national fencing competition|access-date= 2011-05-10|archive-date= 2014-09-15|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140915230744/http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=35322|url-status= dead}}</ref>


As a [[historical fiction]] genre, it is often set in the [[Renaissance]] or [[Cavalier]] era. The stock character also became common in the [[Swashbuckler film|film genre]], which extended the genre to the [[Golden Age of Piracy]]. As swashbuckler stories are often mixed with the [[romance (love)|romance]] genre, there will often be a beautiful, aristocratic female [[love interest]] to whom the hero expresses a refined, [[courtly love]]. At the same time, since swashbuckler plots are often based on intrigues involving corrupt religious figures or scheming monarchs, the heroes may be tempted by alluring [[femme fatale]]s or vampish courtesans.
As a [[historical fiction]] genre, it is often set in the [[Renaissance]] or [[Cavalier]] era. The stock character also became common in the [[Swashbuckler film|film genre]], which extended the genre to the [[Golden Age of Piracy]]. As swashbuckler stories are often mixed with the [[romance (love)|romance]] genre, there will often be a beautiful, aristocratic female [[love interest]] to whom the hero expresses a refined, [[courtly love]]. At the same time, since swashbuckler plots are often based on intrigues involving corrupt religious figures or scheming monarchs, the heroes may be tempted by alluring [[femme fatale|femmes fatales]] or vampish courtesans.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
"Swashbuckler" is a [[Compound (linguistics)|compound]] of "swash" (archaic: to [[Swaggering|swagger]] with a drawn sword) and "[[buckler]]" (a small shield gripped in the fist) dating from the [[16th century]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=swashbuckler |title= swashbuckler – Origin and meaning of swashbuckler by Online Etymology Dictionary |website= www.etymonline.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hadesign.co.uk/SSA/html/buckler.htm |title= The Buckler |publisher= The Sussex Rapier School |access-date= 2007-05-13}}</ref>
"Swashbuckler" is a [[Compound (linguistics)|compound]] of "swash" (archaic: to [[Swaggering|swagger]] with a drawn sword) and "[[buckler]]" (a small shield gripped in the fist) dating from the [[16th century]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=swashbuckler |title= swashbuckler – Origin and meaning of swashbuckler by Online Etymology Dictionary |website= www.etymonline.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.hadesign.co.uk/SSA/html/buckler.htm |title= The Buckler |publisher= The Sussex Rapier School |access-date= 2007-05-13 |archive-date= 2013-10-07 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131007034310/http://www.hadesign.co.uk/SSA/html/buckler.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref>


==Historical background==
==Historical background==
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===Movie===
===Movie===
Consequently, when movie theaters mushroomed, ambitious actors took the chance to present their accordant skills on the screen. Since silent movies were no proper medium for long dialogues, the classic stories about heroes who would defend their honour with sword in hand were simplified and sheer action would gain priority. This was the birth of a new kind of film hero: the swashbuckler.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.classicalfencing.com/articles/swash.php|title= At Sword's Point: Swashbuckling in the Movies|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> For Hollywood actors to depict these skilled sword fighters, they needed advanced sword training. Four of the most famous instructors for swashbuckling swordplay are [[William Hobbs (choreographer)|William Hobbs]], [[Anthony De Longis]], [[Bob Anderson (fencer)|Bob Anderson]] and [[Peter Diamond (actor)|Peter Diamond]].
Consequently, when movie theaters mushroomed, ambitious actors took the chance to present their accordant skills on the screen. Since silent movies were no proper medium for long dialogues, the classic stories about heroes who would defend their honour with sword in hand were simplified and sheer action would gain priority. This was the birth of a new kind of film hero: the swashbuckler.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.classicalfencing.com/articles/swash.php|title= At Sword's Point: Swashbuckling in the Movies|access-date= 2011-05-10|archive-date= 2016-07-23|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160723150351/http://www.classicalfencing.com/articles/swash.php|url-status= dead}}</ref> For Hollywood actors to depict these skilled sword fighters, they needed advanced sword training. Four of the most famous instructors for swashbuckling swordplay are [[William Hobbs (choreographer)|William Hobbs]], [[Anthony De Longis]], [[Bob Anderson (fencer)|Bob Anderson]] and [[Peter Diamond (actor)|Peter Diamond]].


The larger-than-life heroics portrayed in some film franchise adventures (most notably the ''[[Indiana Jones (franchise)|Indiana Jones]]'' movies) set in the modern era have been described as swashbuckling.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/150514-indiana-jones-archaeology-exhibit-national-geographic-museum |title= How Indiana Jones Actually Changed Archaeology |date= 14 May 2015 |website= nationalgeographic.com}}</ref>
The larger-than-life heroics portrayed in some film franchise adventures (most notably the ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' movies) set in the modern era have been described as swashbuckling.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/150514-indiana-jones-archaeology-exhibit-national-geographic-museum |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150517114456/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/150514-indiana-jones-archaeology-exhibit-national-geographic-museum/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= May 17, 2015 |title= How Indiana Jones Actually Changed Archaeology |date= 14 May 2015 |website= nationalgeographic.com}}</ref>


==Film==
==Film==
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[[File:Robin Hood (SAYRE 14344).jpg|thumb|left|[[Douglas Fairbanks]] in the 1922 film ''[[Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood|Robin Hood]]'']]
[[File:Robin Hood (SAYRE 14344).jpg|thumb|left|[[Douglas Fairbanks]] in the 1922 film ''[[Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood|Robin Hood]]'']]


The genre has, apart from swordplay, always been characterized by influences that can be traced back to the [[chivalry]] tales of Medieval Europe, such as the legends of [[Robin Hood]] and [[King Arthur]]. It soon created its own drafts based on classic examples like [[The Mark of Zorro (1920 film)|''The Mark of Zorro'' (1920)]], [[The Three Musketeers (1921 film)|''The Three Musketeers'' (1921)]], [[Scaramouche (1923 film)|''Scaramouche'' (1923)]] and [[The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934 film)|''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1934)]]. Some films did also use [[motif (narrative)|motifs]] of pirate stories.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://dryden.eastmanhouse.org/uncategorized/2007/01/swordplay-and-sunken-treasures-the-great-swashbucklers-and-pirate-movies/|title= Swordplay and Sunken Treasures:The Great Swashbucklers and Pirate Movies|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> Often these films were adaptations of classic historic novels published by well-known authors such as [[Alexandre Dumas]], [[Rafael Sabatini]], [[Baroness Emma Orczy]], Sir [[Walter Scott]], [[Johnston McCulley]], and [[Edmond Rostand]].
The genre has, apart from swordplay, always been characterized by influences that can be traced back to the [[chivalry]] tales of Medieval Europe, such as the legends of [[Robin Hood]] and [[King Arthur]]. It soon created its own drafts based on classic examples like [[The Mark of Zorro (1920 film)|''The Mark of Zorro'' (1920)]], [[The Three Musketeers (1921 film)|''The Three Musketeers'' (1921)]], [[Scaramouche (1923 film)|''Scaramouche'' (1923)]] and [[The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934 film)|''The Scarlet Pimpernel'' (1934)]]. Some films did also use [[motif (narrative)|motifs]] of pirate stories.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://dryden.eastmanhouse.org/uncategorized/2007/01/swordplay-and-sunken-treasures-the-great-swashbucklers-and-pirate-movies/|title= Swordplay and Sunken Treasures:The Great Swashbucklers and Pirate Movies|access-date= 2011-05-10|archive-date= 2011-07-22|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110722190056/http://dryden.eastmanhouse.org/uncategorized/2007/01/swordplay-and-sunken-treasures-the-great-swashbucklers-and-pirate-movies/|url-status= dead}}</ref> Often these films were adaptations of classic historic novels published by well-known authors such as [[Alexandre Dumas]], [[Rafael Sabatini]], [[Baroness Emma Orczy]], Sir [[Walter Scott]], [[Johnston McCulley]], and [[Edmond Rostand]].


Swashbucklers are one of the most flamboyant Hollywood film genres,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://msfencing.org/swashbucklingfilms.html|title= 266 Swashbuckling Films |access-date=2011-04-12}}</ref> unlike [[cinema verite]] or modern realistic filmmaking. The genre attracted large audiences who relished the blend of escapist adventure, historic romance, and daring stunts in cinemas before it became a fixture on TV screens. With the focus on action, adventure, and, to a lesser degree, romance, there is little concern for historical accuracy. Filmmakers may mix incidents and events from different historical eras.
Swashbucklers are one of the most flamboyant Hollywood film genres,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://msfencing.org/swashbucklingfilms.html|title=266 Swashbuckling Films|access-date=2011-04-12|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061042/http://msfencing.org/swashbucklingfilms.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> unlike [[cinema verite]] or modern realistic filmmaking. The genre attracted large audiences who relished the blend of escapist adventure, historic romance, and daring stunts in cinemas before it became a fixture on TV screens. With the focus on action, adventure, and, to a lesser degree, romance, there is little concern for historical accuracy. Filmmakers may mix incidents and events from different historical eras.


As a first variation of the classic swashbuckler there have also been female swashbucklers.<ref name="eldacur.com">{{Cite web|url= http://www.eldacur.com/~brons/Maupin/Maupin-Like.html|title= Swashbuckling Women of Movies, TV, Theatre, etc.|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> [[Maureen O'Hara]] in ''[[Against All Flags]]'' and [[Jean Peters]] in ''[[Anne of the Indies]]'' were very early action film heroines. Eventually the typical swashbuckler motifs were used up because they had so often been shown on TV screens. Later films such as ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'', the ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' series and ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]'' include modern takes on the swashbuckler archetype.
As a first variation of the classic swashbuckler there have also been female swashbucklers.<ref name="eldacur.com">{{Cite web|url= http://www.eldacur.com/~brons/Maupin/Maupin-Like.html|title= Swashbuckling Women of Movies, TV, Theatre, etc.|access-date=2011-05-10}}</ref> [[Maureen O'Hara]] in ''[[Against All Flags]]'' and [[Jean Peters]] in ''[[Anne of the Indies]]'' were very early action film heroines. Eventually the typical swashbuckler motifs were used up because they had so often been shown on TV screens. Later films such as ''[[The Princess Bride (film)|The Princess Bride]]'', the ''[[Pirates of the Caribbean (film series)|Pirates of the Caribbean]]'' series and ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]'' include modern takes on the swashbuckler archetype.


==Television==
==Television==
Television followed the films, especially in the UK, with ''[[The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV series)|The Adventures of Robin Hood]]'', ''[[Sword of Freedom]]'', ''[[The Buccaneers (TV series)|The Buccaneers]]'', and ''[[William Tell (TV series)|Willam Tell]]'' between 1955 and 1960. US TV produced two series of ''[[Zorro]]'' in [[Zorro (1957 TV series)|1957]] and [[Zorro (1990 TV series)|1990]]. Following the 1998 film ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]'', a TV series about a female swashbuckler, the ''[[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Queen of Swords]]'', aired in 2000.<ref name="eldacur.com"/>
Television followed the films, especially in the UK, with ''[[The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV series)|The Adventures of Robin Hood]]'', ''[[Sword of Freedom]]'', ''[[The Buccaneers (1956 TV series)|The Buccaneers]]'', and ''[[William Tell (TV series)|Willam Tell]]'' between 1955 and 1960. US TV produced two series of ''[[Zorro]]'' in [[Zorro (1957 TV series)|1957]] and [[Zorro (1990 TV series)|1990]]. Following the 1998 film ''[[The Mask of Zorro]]'', a TV series about a female swashbuckler, the ''[[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Queen of Swords]]'', aired in 2000.<ref name="eldacur.com"/>


== List of characters==
== List of characters==
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{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Doña María Teresa (Tessa) Alvarado/The Queen of Swords]]
* [[Queen of Swords (TV series)|Doña María Teresa (Tessa) Alvarado/The Queen of Swords]]
* [[d'Artagnan Romances]]
* [[d'Artagnan Romances|D'Artagnan]]
* [[Zorro|Don Diego de la Vega/the Zorro]]
* [[Zorro|Don Diego de la Vega/the Zorro]]
* [[The Mask of Zorro|Alejandro Murieta/Zorro]]
* [[Robin Hood]]
* [[Robin Hood]]
* [[Peter Pan]]
* [[Peter Pan]]
Line 75: Line 76:
* [[Fandral]]
* [[Fandral]]
* [[Captain Harlock]]
* [[Captain Harlock]]
* [[List of Gurren Lagann characters#Kamina|Kamina]]
* [[Sword of Freedom|Marco Del Monte]]
* [[Sword of Freedom|Marco Del Monte]]
* [[Inigo Montoya]]
* [[Inigo Montoya]]
Line 85: Line 87:
* [[Richard Sharpe (fictional character)|Richard Sharpe]]
* [[Richard Sharpe (fictional character)|Richard Sharpe]]
* [[Kidnapped (novel)|Alan Breck Stuart]]
* [[Kidnapped (novel)|Alan Breck Stuart]]
* [[The Buccaneers (TV series)|Dan Tempest]]
* [[The Buccaneers (1956 TV series)|Dan Tempest]]
* [[Guybrush Threepwood]]
* [[Guybrush Threepwood]]
* [[Dante (Devil May Cry)|Dante]] (Devil May Cry)
* [[Will Turner]]
* [[Will Turner]]
* [[Elizabeth Swann]]
* [[Elizabeth Swann]]
* [[Delilah Dirk]]
* [[William Tell]]
* [[William Tell]]
* [[Lara Croft]]
* [[Lara Croft]]
Line 102: Line 106:
* [[April O'Neil]]
* [[April O'Neil]]
* [[Reepicheep]]
* [[Reepicheep]]
*[[List of Ice_Age characters#Appearing in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs|Buck]]
*[[List of Ice Age characters#Appearing in Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs|Buck]]
* [[Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)|Leonardo]]
* [[Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)|Leonardo]]
* [[List of Power Rangers Wild Force characters#Taylor Earhardt|Taylor Earhardt]]
* [[List of Power Rangers Wild Force characters#Taylor Earhardt|Taylor Earhardt]]
Line 111: Line 115:
* [[List of Power Rangers Jungle Fury characters#Casey Rhodes|Casey Rhodes]]
* [[List of Power Rangers Jungle Fury characters#Casey Rhodes|Casey Rhodes]]
* [[List of Power Rangers Dino Charge characters#Sir Ivan of Zandar|Sir Ivan of Zandar]]
* [[List of Power Rangers Dino Charge characters#Sir Ivan of Zandar|Sir Ivan of Zandar]]
* [[Yasmin Khan]]
* [[Yaz Khan (Doctor Who)|Yaz Khan]]
* [[Amy Pond]]
* [[Amy Pond]]
* [[Rory Williams]]
* [[Rory Williams]]
* [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]
* [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]
* [[Nightcrawler (character)|Nightcrawler]]
* [[Shang Chi]]
* [[Captain Kirk]]
* [[Shang-Chi]]
* [[Captain Kirk|Captain James T. Kirk]]
* [[List of Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! characters#The Hyperforce|Chiro]]
* [[List of Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! characters#The Hyperforce|Chiro]]
* [[List of One Piece characters#Roronoa Zoro|Roronoa Zoro]]
{{Div col end}}
* [[List of One Piece characters#Mihawk|Mihawk]] {{Div col end}}


==Actors==
==Actors==
Actors notable for their portrayals of swashbucklers include:
Actors notable for their portrayals of swashbucklers include:


* [[Benoît-Constant Coquelin]] (1841–1909), was a French [[actor]], and "one of the greatest theatrical figures of the age."<ref>[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/01/28/101733062.pdf" Elder Coquelin Dies of Acute Embolism; Great French Actor Was Soon to Appear in Rostand's "Chanticler.", ''New York Times''. January 28, 1909]</ref> He played "Cyrano de Bergerac" over 400 times and later toured North America in the role.
* [[Benoît-Constant Coquelin]] (1841–1909), was a French actor, and "one of the greatest theatrical figures of the age."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1909/01/28/101733062.pdf"|title=Elder Coquelin Dies of Acute Embolism; Great French Actor Was Soon to Appear in Rostand's "Chanticler.", ''New York Times''. January 28, 1909}}</ref> He played "Cyrano de Bergerac" over 400 times and later toured North America in the role.
* In early 1883 [[James O'Neill (actor, born 1847)#The Count of Monte Cristo|James O'Neill]] (1847–1920) took over the lead role in "The Count of Monte Cristo" at Booth's Theater in New York. His interpretation of the part caused a sensation with the theater-going public and a company was immediately set up to take the play on tour. O'Neill bought the rights to the play. "Monte Cristo" remained a popular favorite and would continue to make its appearance on tour as regular as clockwork. O'Neill went on to play this role over 6,000 times.
* In early 1883 [[James O'Neill (actor, born 1847)#The Count of Monte Cristo|James O'Neill]] (1847–1920) took over the lead role in "The Count of Monte Cristo" at Booth's Theater in New York. His interpretation of the part caused a sensation with the theater-going public and a company was immediately set up to take the play on tour. O'Neill bought the rights to the play. "Monte Cristo" remained a popular favorite and would continue to make its appearance on tour as regular as clockwork. O'Neill went on to play this role over 6,000 times.
* E. H. Sothern (1859–1933) was especially known for his heroic portrayal of Rudolph Rassendyl in the first stage adaptation of ''[[The Prisoner of Zenda]]'', which he first played in 1895.<ref name=EAdnb>Holder, Heidi J. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26040 "Sothern, Edward Askew (1826–1881)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004</ref> The role made him a star.
* E. H. Sothern (1859–1933) was especially known for his heroic portrayal of Rudolph Rassendyl in the first stage adaptation of ''[[The Prisoner of Zenda]]'', which he first played in 1895.<ref name=EAdnb>Holder, Heidi J. [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/26040 "Sothern, Edward Askew (1826–1881)"], ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', Oxford University Press, 2004</ref> The role made him a star.
Line 156: Line 162:


== See also ==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Film|Lists|Literature|Martial arts|War|Television}}
{{Portal|Literature|Film|Television}}
* [[Adventure novel]]
* [[Adventure fiction]]
* [[Cloak-and-dagger]]
* [[Cloak and dagger]]
* [[Historical fiction]]
* [[Historical fantasy]]
* [[Historical fantasy]]
* [[Historical novel]]
* [[Ruritanian romance]]
* [[Sword-and-sandal]]
* [[Sword-and-sandal]]
* [[Samurai cinema]] ([[Samurai in Japanese literature|literature]])
* [[Samurai cinema]]
* [[Samurai in Japanese literature]]
* {{ill|Roman de cape et d'épée|fr}}


== References ==
== References ==
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* {{Wiktionary-inline}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}


{{Narrative}}
⚫
{{Film genres}}
{{Stock characters}}
{{Stock characters}}


⚫
[[Category:Film genres]]
[[Category:Lists of stock characters]]
[[Category:Lists of stock characters]]
⚫
[[Category:Mercenaries]]
[[Category:Military history of Europe]]
[[Category:Military lists]]
[[Category:Stock characters]]
[[Category:Stock characters]]
[[Category:Adventure fiction]]
[[Category:Adventure fiction]]
[[Category:Heroic fantasy]]
[[Category:Heroic fantasy]]
⚫
[[Category:Damsels in distress]]

Latest revision as of 03:05, 3 November 2024

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A swashbuckler is a genre of European adventure literature that focuses on a heroic protagonist stock character who is skilled in swordsmanship, acrobatics, and guile, and possesses chivalrous ideals. A "swashbuckler" protagonist is heroic, daring, and idealistic: he rescues damsels in distress, protects the downtrodden, and uses duels to defend his honor or that of a lady or to avenge a comrade.

Swashbucklers often engage in daring and romantic adventures with bravado or flamboyance. Swashbuckler heroes are typically gentleman adventurers who dress elegantly and flamboyantly in coats, waistcoats, tight breeches, large feathered hats, and high leather boots, and they are armed with the thin rapiers that were commonly used by aristocrats

Swashbucklers are not usually unrepentant brigands or pirates, although some may rise from such disreputable stations and achieve redemption.[1] His opponent is typically characterized as a dastardly villain. While the hero may face down a number of henchmen to the villain during a story, the climax is a dramatic one-on-one sword battle between the protagonist and the villain. There is a long list of swashbucklers who combine courage, skill, resourcefulness, and a distinctive sense of honor and justice, as for example Cyrano de Bergerac, The Three Musketeers, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Robin Hood,[2] and Zorro.[3]

As a historical fiction genre, it is often set in the Renaissance or Cavalier era. The stock character also became common in the film genre, which extended the genre to the Golden Age of Piracy. As swashbuckler stories are often mixed with the romance genre, there will often be a beautiful, aristocratic female love interest to whom the hero expresses a refined, courtly love. At the same time, since swashbuckler plots are often based on intrigues involving corrupt religious figures or scheming monarchs, the heroes may be tempted by alluring femmes fatales or vampish courtesans.

Etymology

[edit]

"Swashbuckler" is a compound of "swash" (archaic: to swagger with a drawn sword) and "buckler" (a small shield gripped in the fist) dating from the 16th century.[4][5]

Historical background

[edit]
R.L. Stevenson – The Black Arrow

While man-at-arms and sellswords of the era usually wore armor of necessity, their counterparts in later romantic literature and film (see below) often did not, and the term evolved to denote a daring, devil-may-care demeanor rather than brandishment of accoutrements of war. Swashbuckling adventures and romances are generally set in Europe from the late Renaissance up through the Age of Reason and the Napoleonic Wars, extending into the colonial era with pirate tales in the Caribbean.

Literature

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Jeffrey Richards traces the swashbuckling novel to the rise of Romanticism, and an outgrowth of the historical novel, particularly those of Sir Walter Scott, "... medieval tales of chivalry, love and adventure rediscovered in the eighteenth century".[1] This type of historical novel was further developed by Alexandre Dumas.

John Galsworthy said of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1888 swashbuckling romance, The Black Arrow, that it was "a livelier picture of medieval times than I remember elsewhere in fiction."[6] Anthony Hope's 1894 The Prisoner of Zenda initiated an additional subset of the swashbuckling novel, the Ruritanian romance.[7]

Theatre

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The perceived significant and widespread role of swordsmanship in civilian society as well as warfare in the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods led to fencing being performed on theatre stages as part of plays. Soon actors were taught to fence in an entertaining, dramatic manner. Eventually fencing became an established part of a classical formation for actors.

Movie

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Consequently, when movie theaters mushroomed, ambitious actors took the chance to present their accordant skills on the screen. Since silent movies were no proper medium for long dialogues, the classic stories about heroes who would defend their honour with sword in hand were simplified and sheer action would gain priority. This was the birth of a new kind of film hero: the swashbuckler.[8] For Hollywood actors to depict these skilled sword fighters, they needed advanced sword training. Four of the most famous instructors for swashbuckling swordplay are William Hobbs, Anthony De Longis, Bob Anderson and Peter Diamond.

The larger-than-life heroics portrayed in some film franchise adventures (most notably the Indiana Jones movies) set in the modern era have been described as swashbuckling.[9]

Film

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Main article: Swashbuckler film
Douglas Fairbanks in the 1922 film Robin Hood

The genre has, apart from swordplay, always been characterized by influences that can be traced back to the chivalry tales of Medieval Europe, such as the legends of Robin Hood and King Arthur. It soon created its own drafts based on classic examples like The Mark of Zorro (1920), The Three Musketeers (1921), Scaramouche (1923) and The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934). Some films did also use motifs of pirate stories.[10] Often these films were adaptations of classic historic novels published by well-known authors such as Alexandre Dumas, Rafael Sabatini, Baroness Emma Orczy, Sir Walter Scott, Johnston McCulley, and Edmond Rostand.

Swashbucklers are one of the most flamboyant Hollywood film genres,[11] unlike cinema verite or modern realistic filmmaking. The genre attracted large audiences who relished the blend of escapist adventure, historic romance, and daring stunts in cinemas before it became a fixture on TV screens. With the focus on action, adventure, and, to a lesser degree, romance, there is little concern for historical accuracy. Filmmakers may mix incidents and events from different historical eras.

As a first variation of the classic swashbuckler there have also been female swashbucklers.[12] Maureen O'Hara in Against All Flags and Jean Peters in Anne of the Indies were very early action film heroines. Eventually the typical swashbuckler motifs were used up because they had so often been shown on TV screens. Later films such as The Princess Bride, the Pirates of the Caribbean series and The Mask of Zorro include modern takes on the swashbuckler archetype.

Television

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Television followed the films, especially in the UK, with The Adventures of Robin Hood, Sword of Freedom, The Buccaneers, and Willam Tell between 1955 and 1960. US TV produced two series of Zorro in 1957 and 1990. Following the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro, a TV series about a female swashbuckler, the Queen of Swords, aired in 2000.[12]

List of characters

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Famous swashbuckler characters from literature and other media include the following:

Actors

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Actors notable for their portrayals of swashbucklers include:

  • Benoît-Constant Coquelin (1841–1909), was a French actor, and "one of the greatest theatrical figures of the age."[13] He played "Cyrano de Bergerac" over 400 times and later toured North America in the role.
  • In early 1883 James O'Neill (1847–1920) took over the lead role in "The Count of Monte Cristo" at Booth's Theater in New York. His interpretation of the part caused a sensation with the theater-going public and a company was immediately set up to take the play on tour. O'Neill bought the rights to the play. "Monte Cristo" remained a popular favorite and would continue to make its appearance on tour as regular as clockwork. O'Neill went on to play this role over 6,000 times.
  • E. H. Sothern (1859–1933) was especially known for his heroic portrayal of Rudolph Rassendyl in the first stage adaptation of The Prisoner of Zenda, which he first played in 1895.[14] The role made him a star.
  • Douglas Fairbanks (1883–1939) was a Hollywood movie star of the silent film era and was widely regarded as the predecessor to Errol Flynn.
  • Errol Flynn (1909–1959) was famously known for the action adventurer typified Hollywood's idea of the swashbuckler in films as Captain Blood (1935), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), and The Sea Hawk (1940).
  • Burt Lancaster (1913–1994) Although he was very much an all-round actor, successful in any kind of role, he starred in two swashbuckling films The Flame and the Arrow (1950) and The Crimson Pirate (1952), both produced through his own film production company Norma Productions. Lancaster also starred in and produced two swashbuckler-esque adventure films made in the same time-frame, Ten Tall Men (1951) and His Majesty O'Keefe (filmed in 1952 but released in 1954). Lancaster, a former circus acrobat, was noted for performing his own stunts.[15]
  • Mikhail Boyarsky (born 1949), who played d'Artagnan in d'Artagnan and Three Musketeers and its four sequels, as well as other swashbuckler characters in historical adventure movies like Gardes-Marines, Ahead!, Viva Gardes-Marines!, Don Cesar de Bazan, The Dog in the Manger, The Prisoner of Château d'If, Queen Margot, among others.

Sources for films

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Fiction writers whose novels and stories have been adapted for swashbuckler films include:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Richards, Jeffrey (March 26, 2014). Swordsmen of the Screen: From Douglas Fairbanks to Michael York. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-92863-8 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "The Robin Hood Project at the University of Rochester". Robin Hood Project. University of Rochester. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  3. ^ "The University can lay claim to having its very own Zorro after a student won a prestigious national fencing competition". Archived from the original on 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  4. ^ "swashbuckler – Origin and meaning of swashbuckler by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com.
  5. ^ "The Buckler". The Sussex Rapier School. Archived from the original on 2013-10-07. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  6. ^ Quoted in Edward Wagenknecht, Cavalcade of the English Novel (New York, 1943), 377
  7. ^ Lancelyn Green, Roger. Introduction to Prisoner of Zenda & Rupert of Hentzau, Everyman's Library. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1966
  8. ^ "At Sword's Point: Swashbuckling in the Movies". Archived from the original on 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  9. ^ "How Indiana Jones Actually Changed Archaeology". nationalgeographic.com. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original on May 17, 2015.
  10. ^ "Swordplay and Sunken Treasures:The Great Swashbucklers and Pirate Movies". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  11. ^ "266 Swashbuckling Films". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  12. ^ a b "Swashbuckling Women of Movies, TV, Theatre, etc". Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  13. ^ " "Elder Coquelin Dies of Acute Embolism; Great French Actor Was Soon to Appear in Rostand's "Chanticler.", New York Times. January 28, 1909".
  14. ^ Holder, Heidi J. "Sothern, Edward Askew (1826–1881)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004
  15. ^ Krebs, Albin (1994-10-22). "Burt Lancaster, Rugged Circus Acrobat Turned Hollywood Star, Is Dead at 80". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
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