SWASHBUCKLER

'Swashbuckler' is a term that developed in the 16th century to describe rough, noisy and boastful swordsmen. It is based on a fighting style using a side-sword with a buckler in the off-hand, which was filled with much "swashing and making a noise on the buckler".^[1]
Today the term "swashbuckler" has changed, and refers to both a type of fictitious character and to a fiction genre, especially in the world of film.
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Contents

Swashbuckler, a person or character

Swashbuckler, a fiction and film genre

List of swashbucklers

List of authors of swashbuckling literature

Other uses

See also

External links

References

Swashbuckler, a person or character

The word "swashbuckler," as applied to human beings, generally describes a fearless romantic archetype, a fictitious, adventurous, sword-wielding, male character who seeks to win the heart of a beautiful lady while rescuing society from the clutches of a dastardly villain. The most typical swashbuckler is a handsome young rapier-wielding European man from the 16th to the 18th century, though as "swashbuckler" is a character type, it is not confined to time or place. A classic swashbuckler exhibits exceptional courage and swordfighting skill, a strong sense of honor and justice, a chivalric romantic sense, and the capacity for wit, style, and resourcefulness under pressure. Such characters include the Three Musketeers, the Scarlet Pimpernel, Robin Hood, and Zorro. There have also been a few female swashbucklers, such as Maureen O'Hara in the film Against All Flags.
Although the term "swashbuckler" is sometimes used to reference real people, they rarely resemble the idealized version. For example, although pirates are sometimes called "swashbucklers," real-life pirates were not romantic or chivalrous, but extremely violent thieves and murderers.
Actors famous for their portrayals of swashbucklers include Douglas Fairbanks Sr., Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power, Burt Lancaster, and (arguably) Basil Rathbone, a extremely skilled fencer who often played villains.

Swashbuckler, a fiction and film genre

"Swashbuckler" also denotes a fiction and film genre that is characterized by dazzling swordplay, an adventurous and romantic plot, an historic setting, and black-and-white heroes and villains. This genre traces its origins to the chivalry tales of Medieval Europe, such as Robin Hood and the King Arthur legends. Among its most famous works are "The Three Musketeers", "The Scarlet Pimpernel", "Scaramouche", "Ivanhoe", "Cyrano de Bergerac", and a large number of pirate stories. Authors who specialized in swashbuckler fiction include Alexandre Dumas, Rafael Sabatini, the Baroness Orczy, Sir Walter Scott, Johnston McCulley, and Edmond Rostand.
Stylized, jaunty, and wildly entertaining, swashbucklers are one of the most flamboyant Hollywood film genres, the opposite of cinema verite and modern realistic filmmaking. They first became popular during the heyday of actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., who became world famous for his cocky and charismatic portrayals of heroes such as d'Artagnan and Zorro. The genre subsequently attracted large audiences who loved the escapist adventure, historic romance, and exciting athleticism.
However, during the 1960s, as popular culture became more realistic, cynical, and morally ambiguous, the simplistic plots, morality, and playfulness of swashbucklers began to seem childlike and quaint, and audience interest faded away. By the last quarter of the 20th century, relatively few swashbucklers were being produced. Nonetheless, the romantic appeal of the swashbuckler still endures; contemporary examples include '', ''The Mask of Zorro'', and ''Lives No Longer Ours''.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swash"
Flynn's athleticism, timing and charisma defined what the swashbuckler represented.

List of swashbucklers

Notable swashbucklers from literature and other media include:

★ Alan Breck Stuart

★ Captain Blood

★ Captain Jack Sparrow

★ Cyrano de Bergerac

★ d'Artagnan

★ Don Juan

★ Edmond Dantès

★ Guybrush Threepwood

★ Inigo Montoya

★ Jarlaxle

★ Sandokan

★ Scaramouche

★ the Scarlet Pimpernel

★ Solomon Kane

★ V

★ Zorro

List of authors of swashbuckling literature

★ James Clavell

★ Alexandre Dumas, père

★ Jeffrey Farnol

★ Paul Féval

★ Anthony Hope

★ Johnston McCulley

★ Baroness Orczy

★ Arturo Pérez-Reverte

★ Rafael Sabatini

★ Edmond Rostand

★ Emilio Salgari

★ Sir Walter Scott

★ Samuel Shellabarger

★ Robert Louis Stevenson

Other uses

The swashbuckler is also a type of men's shirt of the sort worn in swashbuckling movies. It is usually white, with an open neck and chest with a lace up front.

See also

★ Swashbuckler films

★ Adventure novel

★ Historical novel

★ Cloak-and-dagger

★ Ruritanian Romance

External links

★ Swashbuckler fans' website

References

1. The Buckler